Good morning, members of the city council. The meeting will begin shortly.
Please remember to log into your devices.
Thank
you.I
think that's a really good point, and I think it's something
that we should all strive for. Um,
because I think that
if
you're
able
to do
that,
then
you
are
setting yourself
for success. Um, so I think that's,
that's very important. And I also think that, um, you know, there's lots of
different ways in which people can contribute to
charity. There's no one size fits all answer here.
Um, I think that there are lots of different
ways in which people can give. Um, you know, there are charities which accept cash donations. Um, you know, there are charities which accept gift cards. There are charities which accept, um, you know, online donations. There are charities which accept, um, you know, physical donations. You know, there are lots of different ways in which people can give. And I think that if you can find the way in which you can give, then you should do that. Because I think that that is the best way in which you can give. Because then you're actually giving money to the charity, but you're also giving money to the organization
for which you're donating. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. So I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that that's a really important thing in and of itself, because I think that if you can give money to the organization for which you're donating, then you are actually showing that you care about the cause as well. And I think that thatGood
morning, members of the city council.
The meeting will begin shortly. Please remember to log in to your
devices. Thank you.
Yeah, thanks.
(silence)
Good morning. Good morning, ladies and
gentlemen. May I have your attention, please?
Shh.
May I have your attention, please?
Thank you. The city council meeting will convene
momentarily.
So in the meantime, please take your seats,
silence all of your listening devices.
If you want to speak during the budget
portion of public comment, please go back by the
veterans display
and the pink slips are there. Sign up and give them to one of the
sergeant-at-arms. Thank
you.
(silence)
The council will come to order. Madam Clerk, please take a quorum roll
call.
Good morning. The quorum is now open, the quorum is now
open. Please use the e-device. If you need help logging into your
device, please raise your hand. The quorum vote is now
open.
I will now take a voice vote who have not used their e-device.
Alderman Robinson, not present.
Alderman Hall, not present.
Alderman Mitchell, not
present. Alderman Beal.
Beal is present.
Alderwoman Ramirez, not present.
Alderwoman Gutierrez. Gutierrez is
present. Alderwoman Coleman, not
present. Alderman Moore, not
present. Alderman Curtis, not present.
Alderman O'Shea.
O'Shea is present. Alderwoman Taylor, not
present. Alderman Fuentes, not
present.
Alderman Waguespack. Waguespack is present.
Alderman Rodriguez-Sanchez,
not present. Alderman Conway. Conway is
present.
Alderman Quezada. Quezada is present.
Alderman Villegas, not present.
Alderwoman Mitts, not present. Alderman
Vasquez, not present.
Alderman Napolitano, not present.
Alderman Riley. Riley is present.
Alderman Knudson, not present. Alderman Gardner,
not present. Alderwoman Clay,
not present. Alderman Martin,
not present. Alderwoman Hadden,
not present. Great.
Mayor, we have a quorum.
Very well. Thank you. There are 31 members present, so we do
have a quorum. There are, um, at least five
alders that have requested to participate in today's meeting
remotely, uh, for reasons stated in Rule
59, and those alders are as following: Ramirez,
Knudson, Napolitano, Curtis, and Mitts.
Madam Clerk, can you confirm their presence online?
Alderman Knudson.
Present. Present. Thank you, Clerk.
Knudson is present.
Alderman Napolitano.
Present, Madam Clerk.
Napolitano is present. Alderman Curtis,
not present. Alder- Alderwoman Ramirez.
Good morning. Present.
Ramirez is present. Alderman- Alderwoman Mitts.
Um, present.
Mitts is present.
Thank you. Can I...
Very well, all those in favor of the members who have indicated their presence
online and participating remotely, signify by saying aye.
Any opposed, say nay. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it.
Madam Clerk, please, um, add those members to
the quorum roll call.
Yes.
Very well. Let's rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of
America and to the republic for which it stands, one
nation under God, indivisible, with liberty
and justice for all. Please remain standing for
invocation, which will be delivered today by Reverend Tommy
Molina from Liberty Christian Center.
Good morning. As we begin today's council meeting, I invite us to pause and
ask for God's blessings, for unity, wisdom, and a spirit of service
as we work together for the good of our city.
Heavenly Father, with humility, I present to you the men and women in this chamber
who have been assigned to serve the people of our city.
I thank you for the gift of this city we are privileged to call home, filled
with diverse neighborhoods, rich culture, and resilient people.
You have entrusted each city council member here with the
responsibility of serving their respective communities with
wisdom, conviction, and compassion.Unite them in
purpose, Lord. May differences not divide, but strengthen their
work together for the common good, seeking solutions that place the
needs of others above themselves.
Remind them that true leadership is service and
align them with Jesus' mission when He said, "For even the Son
of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His
life as a ransom for many." Give them divine clarity,
courage, and humility in every decision and let us be encouraged by the
words of the Apostle Paul who said, "Let us not become weary in
doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if
we do not give up." Finally, I ask for your forgiveness
over the blood that has been shed on this land.
We repent from the idolatry that has replaced our worship of you as our
foundation. Set our people free from sexual immorality and
addictions that have kept them in bondage.
And we cancel any generational curses placed upon our
city that have delayed your blessings.
May this prayer guide our words, decisions and actions today as
we unite government and faith to serve the people of our city.
We surrender all of this in the holy and matchless name of our
lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Amen. Thank you. You may be seated.
This is the portion of the meeting for public comments.
The council will now begin the public comment period which is limited to a maximum
of 30 minutes. Each speaker is limited to three minutes.
Speakers cannot yield or transfer their time to another speaker.
Any written comments that have been submitted will be posted and made available for
aldermatic review. Our first speaker this morning is John
Nash.
Mr. Nash, are you there?
Mr. Nash, please press star six to unmute.
Star
six.
Good morning, Mr. Nash. Can you hear
us?
Let's move forward, please. Yep.
Our next speaker is Liz Chapman.
Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor and City Council.
Where's... Oh, and to, uh, Alderman Raymond Lopez,
I think you're amazing. You're the only one... You've got so much common sense.
I love you. Okay. With that said, I also wanted to thank you,
Mr. Mayor, from the bottom of my heart, and utmost
sincerity, because without you, I would have never known about
Chicago Flips Red. And Zoe
Ley, Ms. Danielle Carter Walters,
Jessica Jackson, and our most beloved, George
Blakemore. Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.
And if anybody has the time, please go to a Chicago Flips Red
party. We had a blast last night. With that said, number
two
(sighs) the US government is run
as an organized crime syndicate.
And there was one man that lived to tell the story about what happened to his
family and what happened to him. A man that was supposed to be
the leader of my generation. Now, I'm in my
60s now. He's still alive and he's
going... He's telling his story now.
And this gentleman, you can get his story here,
therealjohnfkennedyjunior.com.
That's the real story. He will tell you how corrupt
this... The US government is, it's one huge
crime organization. He's got the truth,
therealjohnfkennedyjunior.com.
Look it up. He's alive and he's telling his
story. Thank you.
Thank you very much for your comments.
Our next speaker is Danielle
Carter.
You
are pathetic.
You are pathetic as a man,
and you're pathetic... And I hate to use the word "mayor" in front of your
name.
You have these Black boys right here,
and you're gonna use their face and take a picture with them and shake their
hand and everything you're... With this fake black
"I'm a Black agenda" and everything you doing is going
against them.You, as a social studies
teacher said, you're not for homework, you're not for
testing scores because that's racist.
All while you sit up here and benefit from that as a
fully educated man. But you wanna dumb them
down. You
talking about defund the police and knowing that all...
When these kids leave here, they're going to leave to abandoned
buildings, they're going to leave to a crime-ridden
area with shots all around, and you took shots for
their out there community. These boys know that they might not
even live to see 21. And all the anti-agenda you did
and what you do, defund the police, want them to defund the police.
All while you walk around with 150 police details
protecting you, your Black kids, and your Black wife, as you
say.
This is what you do.
All while not telling them that Jim Crow
Joe Biden, your people, are the reason why their...
Half of their fathers are locked up right now from the '94 Crime
Bill. But see? You won't talk about that.
You won't tell these Black boys the truth.
All you going to do is shake their hand, get them a photo op, while you give all
their resources to illegal aliens.
Every last resources. You took the trade, they took the trades out of their
schools. They have nothing. But what you doing?
Making sure illegal aliens have trades,
free education, can get jobs. All while you going to the
UN, begging them to help you with Trump, because
you don't even want them to come in our communities and get the illegal
alien criminals. What y'all brought in, in
our community, that's you. 60
Brandon Bobbies were shot spotters left.
That... What happened with that, e- on 26th in Little
Village, where their father and son got killed, that's
your fault. That's your fault 'cause you could stop that at any
time. You, it's your fault. Just earlier,
federal agents got shot at. You didn't say nothing.
You didn't do anything. And then later on that night, a family got
robbed and killed. They the ones had to go and mourn before the holidays
of their loved ones, while you sit there with your police details
and your kids planning Thanksgiving, and the whole city is burning.
You are disgraced. And we coming for that seat.
You won't have that seat, I promise you.
(phone ringing)
Thank you very much for your comments.
Our next speaker is Mariah Mata.
Our next speaker is Mariah
Mata.
Hello. Good morning to City Council members.
My name is Mariah and I'm a lifelong Chicagoan, a constituent of the Third
Ward, a proud product of immigrants, and the Policy Fellow at the Chicago
Environments with Justice Network. I am also here to address...
Oop. We are in the midst of budget season.
And despite capacity being spent on budget, I want to emphasize that the health
of all of our communities within the city has a path for advocacy
v- via the Hazel M. Johnson Cumulative Impacts Ordinance.
I urge alders to take a moment to review the new changes to the Cumulative
Impacts Ordinance and see that we, as community members, have negotiated in good
faith to come to a consensus and pass the ordinance.
I am also here to address this false narrative that we have to choose between our
health and economic growth. Only considering economic
factors have left too many brownfields within our city in which halt
investment into our communities because of the cost of remediation and the
environmental hazards that fester on these brownfields.
The Cumulative Impacts Ordinance instead allows for clear and transparent
expectations for heavy and intensive industry that puts environmental
and health factors on the table, so years down the
road, the next generation isn't left cleaning up more abandoned
and underutilized land such- such as brownfields that harm the
resilience of our communities. CJN, the Chicago Environments with
Justice Network, and various partners have been in negotiations for months, as
mentioned, and we have made changes to the language and we are
confident in it, because it addresses the voiced and written feedback from
various stakeholders. The Cumulative Impacts Ordinance will
not negatively impact the economy or take away jobs from business,
from the business community. Rather, it will ensure that ample
efficiency and certainty for businesses, workers, and the communities that
enter into it, um, as it lays out clear deadlines for City Department
reviewing process. As cited in the Daily Line article, according to
Milton Pensky, the Chairman of Banna Real Estate Group, the ordinance introduces
common sense environmental review, clear guidelines on the meaningful
community... And meaningful community engagement.
These are not roadblocks to growth.
These are guardrails that create stability for lu- long-term
investment. I also urge, um,
the City Council members to continue dialogue with c- community groups and the
Department of Environment to learn and pass the Cumulative Impacts Ordinance when
the time comes. And then before ending, I want to urge City Councils to see this
budget passed with a corporate tax, not rent...
Not rent hikes and... Not rent hikes on working people.
Listen to constituents and not corporate lobbyists.
And thank you so much for your time.
(brings speaker back into frame) Thank you very much for your
comments.
Our next speaker is Julianna
Tamayo.
Buenos dias. Good morning, um, city council, Mayor Johnson, and
community members here. My name is Juliana Tamayo and I serve as the Latina
leadership manager of Mujeres Latinas en Accion.
I am here as both a concerned individual and a representative of Mujeres, a
community-based organization serving survivors of gender-based violence, many
of whom are immigrant and/or Latina.
My program specifically serves domestic violence survivors and Spanish-speaking
women in the community who want to develop their skills as leaders and advocate for
positive changes for them, their loved ones, and community members.
For over 50 years, our organization has offered free services to our
community and we want to continue to do so.
Currently, Mujeres holds two Chicago offices in the neighborhoods of
Pilsen, in the 25th ward of Alderman Cintio Lopez, and our
office in Bryant Park in the 14th ward of Alderwoman Jayla
Gutierrez. Both of these communities have been targeted over the last three
months, adding further stress and fears to the communities we
serve. I am here to urgently support the critical funding of
gender-based violence services in the City of Chicago's budget.
I am here to urge the City of Chicago, including the mayor and all the presence
here today, to elevate the issue of funding services for, for
survivors. Mujeres, in coalition with the Network Advocating
Against Domestic Violence, is seeking $22.8
million to meet Chicago's gender-based violence programming
needs for the fiscal year 2026. Given
the targeting of many of our community members based upon their real or perceived
immigration status, I can speak directly to the need for these life-saving
services. Funding here goes directly to supporting the city's only
culturally specific supervised visitation and safe exchange
services, as well as services of rapid re-housing, legal
advocacy, and emergency funding for survivors provided by other
organizations throughout the City of Chicago.
For the last three months, immigrant communities in Chicago have been targeted
directly, impacting the daily lives of many of them.
These funds would allow us to continue to provide our services to the communities
that need it the most. Too often, the needs of survivors of gender-based violence
are diminished, reduced, and, or go unaddressed due to stigma
associated with gender-based violence, um, with gender-based
violence. That is why I'm here, to directly challenge this and to enlist the
support of the sh- City of Chicago to meet all Chicagoans' needs,
inclusive of immigrant survivors of gender-based violence.
In short, this funding is crucial and we cannot afford to lose services at this
critical moment. Thank you so much for your time and I urge you to fund our
support. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you very much.
Our next speaker this morning is Captain Flora
Digby.
Good morning (clears throat) . My name is Flora Digby.
Um, good morning to city council, mayor.
I am here, Captain Digby, Commodore of Southern Shore Yacht Club and
an active member of the Chicago Safety Harbor Committee.
I stand here today as a member of the maritime industry
in opposition of the yacht tax that has been
proposed. I think that there is a
mischaracterization of who boat owners are.
There's this fallacy that we are
very well endowed, that owning a boat is a luxury.
Well, in fact, owning a boat is a choice.
It is a choice not to take a vacation.
It's a choice not to have a summer home.
But it's also a choice to continue to invest in the city in which we live.
As I stand here before you today, I have several asks and considerations that I
would like to have, um, placed before you.
First of all, I would like to ask you to go back to the table and do a little more
homework on the maritime industry.
Look at the, um, you know, look at the accomplishments, look at our
involvement in the City of Chicago.
We actually, as yacht clubs, we provide programming,
boat building, boat education, sailing opportunities
that keep our children off the street.
We actually engage in the community and we have partnerships with the
YMCA, with the Park District. So we ask that you go back to the
table and you think about the stable revenue that we bring to the
table and that you don't encourage flight
of boat owners because there are several marinas
in our area that are more competitive.
You will unfortunately see boat owners going to Kenosha,
going to Hammond. And so instead of raising the revenue that we
need to bridge that gap, we will be losing some of the stable revenue
that we have today. So I ask that you go back to the table, that
you think about the maritime industry and then you also think about revenue
opportunities. Currently, all boat owners and
slip owners are not encouraged or required to take a
boating skill class.
Yes, that is correct. So think about a revenue opportunity
where as boat owners, maybe you, um, in the City of
Chicago impose a class, a basic
skills class with every slip owner.
So now you are encouraging revenue, you are reducing
the need to use city, uh, city resources, the police department, the
fire department. You're bringing in revenue, you are continuing to
stabilize revenue, and you are encouraging the maritime
industry that provides programming, that i-
um, im- impo- it provides economic engagement
and it supports the City of Chicago.
I thank you very much for this opportunity. Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Our next speaker this morning is George
Blakemore.
It was,
"Mr. Blakeman, where are you?" I'm in the city
council. The members of this city council,
all of 'em are blue, all of 'em are
Democrats. This is a
monopoly. I'm gonna educate you. A
monopoly by Commonwealth Edison.
No, they don't have to compete. All our
energy that come from Commonwealth ever.
A monopoly. A monopoly. So
let's not concentrate on the
mayor. All of them voted for
sanctuary. All of them voted for
illegals to come in and use these resources.
Millions and millions of dollars were spent on the
illegals. But, but all of them,
this all of 'em, voted for sanctuary.
So I'm giving you a little history lesson.
You deserve the government you get, and you get the government that you
deserve. You deserve
Brandon Johnson and these people, aldermen,
they're all Democrat,
and that's not good. We need a check and balance.
We need some socialists, maybe some communists, uh,
uh, uh, Republicans. Uh, we need...
You don't want to have a house with all
fathers. A house, a home with all
mamas and no daddies in the house. You don't want
that. You want a, a, a... We're a family, and you can't
have a family w- with a monopoly. So let's
not just beat up on the mayor. Beat up on all of
these aldermen. All of them voted for
sanctuary, bringing illegals in to use,
uh, the jobs, get the jobs, the goods, the,
the resources of this city. When you
have a, a population of Black people that was
enslaved in America, brought over, not
immigrants, not immigrants, not
illegal immigrants, but these people voted for
them to come and compete with us. So you
deserve the government you get. And you got the governments you
deserve. And don't just beat up on Brandon
Johnson. All of them, all of them
have allowed this to happen. This is like a
communist system, a one-party system.
In a communist government, you have one party that
dominates everything. And what do they bring?
Corruption, fraud, and abuse. All of
them. All of them!
All of them! And I will not...
We got to go red, flip red, do what we-
Thank you very much for your comments.
Our next speaker is Lyn
Bailey.
Uh,
good morning.
Good morning. My name is Lyn Bailey.
I trained at the Chicago Police Academy.
I served as a juvenile detective outside the city.
I lived in this city for 37 years, and my life work has been
prevention. Stepping in early to guide our
youth before they enter the system.
I later resigned so that I could be in the streets with our kids every day,
teaching them responsibility, financial literacy, and how to build generational
wealth. I've always led by example.
I've never used my title when doing business,
because I wanted my children to learn that we treat people equally and should
expect to be treated the same. But this experience that I've
experienced has shown me and them that the system does
not always treat everyone fairly.
A private lender called Ro- 360 has taken millions of dollars
in land from Black communities and families,
land near the Obama Presidential Center, that should represent
stability and opportunity for our neighborhoods.
Instead, it is being stripped away.
I personally, my fiance and I lost over
$262,000
from this ordeal.
And this stress has led to me, I'm young,
having a heart attack. It forced me to step back from the
work that I was doing to uplift our youth.
This issue has been investigated for two years.
And my story, and along with 30 other families, has been featured on
NBC News three times. If the city does not
publicly address this, more families will fall victim to these predatory
practices. I reached out to the mayor's office, I reached out to the
attorney general, I submitted everything required.
Yet, I have not received a single response.
Meanwhile, funding for my youth organization, an organization
built to help kids avoid the exact traps that I fell
into, has been denied. Instead, grants continue
to go to the same repeat winners year after year.
And my kids have also seen the grants go towards the
immigrants.... worse, my organization has been flagged not to do
business with, which makes no sense when our mission is to help ch- Chicago's youth
stay safe, grow and build futures.
And while I was fighting to recover my children, watched our own community struggle
for basic shelter while the city legals' focus stayed locked on
immigration litigation. And while every human being deserves
dignity, our Black communities deserve representation too.
At one point, I had to personally house kids because there were no
resources left for them. And my children saw their own
role model, someone who served and protected, ignored by the
institutions I taught them to trust.
Today, I'm asking for this council to, for real public
action, direct the City of Chicago's leg- legal council to file a
lawsuit against Rock360. Make this matter public so
families know how to protect themselves.
We demand the Attorney General to intervene as well.
Our children are watching.
(phone rings)
Thank you. Thank you very much for your
comments.
Our next speaker, our next speaker this morning is Rayzki
Roundtree.
Good morning, you all.
Good morning.
Mm, I'm here to talk about something a little different, but it's time to
flip red now because you Democrats are not
doing what y'all supposed to have been doing.
I voted for you, but you won't get another vote from
me. Um, my son was kidnapped last year
in 2024. And I reached out to you and a bunch of
other people, and no one is helping.
So this why you get what you get right here.
Um,
now, the judges at the Daley Center, especially one in room
1806, Jamie G. Dickler,
that's her name, um, is helping people with guardianship
fraud.
I have paperwork on my son. I had my son since
2021, uh, December when his mama died and
he ran away because he got mad because of some he say she say
stuff. And, um, my son has been
kidnapped. I went up to the police station last year at 17th and,
State. I live around here, matter of fact.
I've been living around here for three years now.
And, um, no one's helping with this.
I'm trying to find out why is no one helping with guardianship fraud and
kidnapping kids,
especially when the judges are not helping no one at the Daley Center.
I understand they are Democrats, but come on.
Y- my kid was kidnapped
and now it's some guardianship fraud going on at the Daley
Center. I let the judge know that I'm trying to get my kid back and she
gonna give me a court date for January 12th.
I let her know on October
21st that I'm trying to get my son back.
Uh, the person named RaNisha Veal, uh, kidnapped my
son
and no one's doing nothing about it.
I guess you all want me to snap. I'm not gonna do that because
then that's gonna get me put in jail.
But I think I'm gonna have to do that because you are not doing
anything. How can people kidnapping kids and commit guardianship
fraud and no one's doing nothing about it?
Why do I have to go up to somebody house and do it myself to get locked
up? Someone needs to help about this,
man, because the judges are not doing anything.
I told them
to help me get my son back. The
person that was supposed to con- um,
say I had a court date, they did not contact me about any court dates
to say yes or no about my son.
Uh, that this judge know I'm trying to get my son back. Like I said, Jamie G.
Dickler in room 1806 at the Daley Center
and she's doing nothing, nothing at all.
I'm trying to get my son back. He was kidnapped.
Um, I got the people, um,
basically charges with, uh, kidnapping, it got threw out somehow, I don't know
how. And they was charged with harboring a runaway and nothing
is being done. Ashanti Matlock-Henderson is the guardian ad
litem, but she don't even have paperwork saying she a real guardian ad litem.
(phone rings) So if I can't get
help...
Thank you. Thank you very much for your
comments.
Our next speaker is it... Our next speaker is Isabella
Jaimes.
Hello, my name's Isabella Jaimes and I'm with the Southeast Environmental Task
Force speaking in complete support of the Hazel M.
Johnson Cumulative Impacts Ordinance today.
From the first ti- for- time to time, I read this letter from a Southeast side
fifth grader. "I live in the South Deering community.
At night, there's a company on Torus that lets gas into the air.
I know you will say something to stop this because you stood up for what was right
with General Iron across from the school. Please help us.
I have asthma and my mother has bronchitis all the time because of this bad
air. At night when we are sleeping, we wake up choking from the gas and tar
smell. This is not right, and it's only like this because we do not have a lot
money. Please help us even if we don't have money.
I want to say something but my mother is scared.
I need you to help us because I am scared that my mom will get sicker and I can't
even breathe well at night. Please help me make this stop.
We're here because of a federal civil rights complaint where the City of Chicago
has found- was found guilty of discriminatory housing practices.
Over $1 billion was once allocated to an affluent neighborhood while
another industry was added to the Southeast side.
40% of our neighbors make less than $40,000 a year.
While the Calumet River Corridor hoards more than 200 industrial projects
alone. Tell us, who benefits?"Tell me,
what have each of you are doing to relieve the drastic disparity and to support
your colleagues who are standing for justice?
In honor of the mother of environmental justice, Hazel M.
Johnson, this ordinance comes directly from the city's own cumulative impacts
assessment, a report that confirms what we have been living.
And if you need a clearer picture, the Illinois Department of Public Health says,
"Lung cancer remains the leading cancer...
the leading cause of cancer death, while with rates highest among Black
men and women." The Respiratory Health Association says, "Black children and
families in the South and West sides still face the highest ER rates
for asthma." We also need a tax large corporations and not
working families. When you see this next budget pass with a corporate
tax, not rent hikes on working people or increases in garbage
fees, listen to your constituents and not corporate lobbyists.
Do not continue to let our children live in fear. Thank you.
Thank you very much. Our next speaker is John
Nash.
Hello?
Can you guys hear me?
We can hear you.
Yes. Thank you.
Okay. Good af- good afternoon, honorable members of the City Council and
fellow residents. My name is John Nash, representing the
Progressive Initiative, a grass roof movement
dedicated to justice, equality, and mental strength.
(clears throat)
Today, I speak about an issue that strikes at the heart of fairness in our city's
workplaces, forced arbitration.
Across America, over 60 million workers, including thousands
right here in Chicago, are bound by forced arbitration clause
that denied them their constitutional right to a day in court.
These hidden clauses are often buried in fine print, force employees to settle
disputes in private tribunals that overwhelmingly favor corporations.
The data is clear, workers win fair few of charges
of c- cases in arbitration than in open court, and when they do, their awards are
dramatically smaller. Black workers and women are hit the hardest.
Their discrep- discrimination, wage theft, and
harassment claims quite often swept aside behind closed doors.
I urge the City Council to end forced arbitration in all city
contracts to make worker fairness a standard for
every vendor, subcontractor, and staffing agency doing business with
Chicago. We can lead the nation by
showing that transparency, not secrecy, is the foundation of
justice. Chicago has always been a city of broad shoulders,
but those shoulders deserve fairness, not forced
silence. Progressive die, keep moving forward, no matter what.
Thank you.
Thank you very much for your comments.
Your Honor, there are no further speakers who have timely signed up for the public
comment period.
Very well. This concludes this public comment period.
Now for resolutions, uh, we have no suspend resolutions
today, but we do have a few acknowledgments.
First, like to acknowledge Alder Rodriguez, um, who
wishes to acknowledge the Farragut Career Academy High School boys softball
team for winning the city championship.
Alderman Rodriguez.
That's right. Farragut Admirables bring home the trophy to
Little Village. Uh, congratulations, young
men.
Farragut Career Academy's 16-inch softball team made school
history this fall by capturing the 2025 Chicago Public
League Championship, marking the first city title in the program's
history. Farragut overcame two of the city's
largest and most competitive programs on their way
to the championship, and I, I am gonna, uh, a-alert
folks, uh, I hope we don't have any hard feelings here
because in the semifinal, Farragut defeated Lane
Tech, 10 to nothing. That's right.
And, and in the championship game, they took down Walter Payton
by a score of 14 to 2.
(laughs) Uh,
those victories reflect not only the skill and
preparation of these student athletes, but the dedication of their
coaches, their families, and supporters.
Here with us today are the champions, their
principal, Mr. Nanavati, their coaches, staff, and a couple
parents. And let me tell you something, in a time where our
community has been
targeted, has been targeted
with anti-immigrant, racist sentiments,
and where you will now travel to the bean, I believe, to
take a picture, to show our pride as a community,
I am proud every day to stand in
support of my young men and women of Farragut High
School. Thank you for showing what the best of our community
is. I applaud you, and I urge my colleagues and the audience to
stand in ovation for these young
men.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Alderman Rodriguez. Now we have
for an
acknowledgment...
Do you want to speak to this one? Oh, o- just a second, I got
you. Oh, you want to be added to the quorum roll call? Yes.
Um, Madam Clerk, please add Alderman David Moore to the quorum roll call.
Uh, now for, uh, the next, um,
acknowledgment-I'll recognize Alder Cruz who would
like to acknowledge the YMCA of Irving
Park on their 100th year anniversary.
The chair recognizes Alderwoman Ruth Cruz.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today we honor the Irving Park
YMCA, yes, please stand, for 100 years
of exceptional service. Um,
yes...
They have created a lasting impact across
multiple groups of people, including teens.
You have given them the safe space for them to
grow and develop as well, whether it's through sports, whether
it's through youth leadership, through civic engagement.
You're doing a wonderful job when it comes to
protecting and encouraging our youth, but also community
engagement. You open your doors to various different groups in the community.
You provide services, but also you're educating
people, um, when it comes to what other services are available for them.
You have opened your doors to my staff and myself to host
different type of meetings, like participatory budgeting.
So we thank you for always ha- um, giving us that space.
But also you're, um, impacting parents and
kids for providing affordable daycare through
parents, um, making sure that you have summer camp which if you, um...
Mr. President, if you have the opportunity this summer, you should stop by.
They have an exceptional summer camp as well.
Um,
and as well our seniors, someone who's really close to my heart, my seniors.
I was able to witness it when I, uh, was on a tour.
You offer a lot of different type of, um, sports,
exercising, I rather say, for them.
And not only are you keeping he- healthy, uh, healthy hearts, but
also healthy bodies. So we appreciate for all the work that you li- do
there. And also educating them on what are some of the resources they have
when it comes to, um, Medicaid or any health, um, insurance
they need. And also housing. Something that we have talked a
lot is providing affordable housing for many years
and, uh, given the opportunity for people to have,
um, stability, but also to live with dignity.
So that is very impressive, so thank you for doing that.
And right now I'm gonna read a quote for somebody from the YMCA, one of those
teens, uh, that have gone through your program.
And I quote, this is quote from Dominique Maino, and it
says, "The Irving Park Y, through their teen
programming, gave me a space to get involved with my
community. Every single person there
contribute to me having a safe space to grow.
And without the Irving Park Y, I would probably would
not be in a ward office today." So please, I
encourage my colleagues to stand and let's give a round of applause
and congratulations to the Irving Park
YMCA.
Thank you,
Thank you very much, Alderwoman Cruz.
Next, Alderman Lawson would like to acknowledge the passing
of Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt. Chair recognizes Alderman
Lawson.
Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, I rise today to honor a life devoted to
faith, service, and basketball. Sister Jean Dolores
Schmidt, BVM, a beloved icon of Loyola University Chicago for more
than six decades, and a member of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin
Mary since 1937, passed away on October
9th at the age of 106. Celebrated worldwide
for her infectious smile, quick wit, and basketball acumen,
Sister Jean was universally adored.
Throughout her lengthy tenure at Loyola, she touched the lives of countless people
and lived an incredible life of faith and service to young
people. She skyrocketed to international celebrity status
during the Ramblers amazing 2018 Final Four run.
Her infectious smile and dedication to the team made her a Chicago
icon. Her memoir, Wake Up With Purpose!: What
I've Learned in My First 100 Years became a New York Times
bestseller, and will continue to impart her motto, "Worship,
work, win," on generations to come.
Sister Jean brought out the best in people because that's what she looked for in
others. She saw potential in every student she encountered and she
made Chicago proud. I'm honored to be able to recognize her as an
exceptional Chicagoan today. Thank you, Mr.
President, and go Ramblers.
Thank you, Alderman Lawson.
You know, our last acknowledgment today, I want to acknowledge Native American
Heritage Month. Um, this November we honor and celebrate
Native American Heritage Month,
a time to recognize the first peoples of this land and the living
communities who continue to shape Chicago's story
today. For countless generations,
Indigenous peoples have lived, worked,
gathered, and cared for the lands that we now call
Chicago. Their wisdom, traditions, and
connection to the earth continue to offer lessons in stewardship,
community, and resilience. Today, Chicago is home to one of
the largest urban Native communities in the country, representing
more than 100 tribal
nations. Their cultures, art, and
language, and leadership continue to strengthen the city's
fabric. From community gardens and cultural centers to
classrooms, public art, and organizing and
activism. Today, Native American Heritage, Heritage Month
reminds us to listen, to learn, and to honor the stories that
came before us, and the people that still
carry them forward.We extend our hea- heartfelt
gratitude to Native communities for their enduring contributions to the
culture, spirit, and the strength of our city.
So this body, please
help me recognize members of our Indigenous peoples who are
here with us today as we celebrate Native American
Heritage Month.
This ends our portion of the meeting for
Communications. I'm sorry, next up is Communications, but this ends our
portion for Resolutions. The chair recognizes Alderman
Moore.
Yeah, just real quickly, um, Chairman, just because they're, um, here and they've
been, um, coming down periodically as part of their civics
class, the, um, Eng- Englewood boys from Urban Prep,
um, just consistently coming down.
But I also want to acknowledge, um, their, um, teacher and, um, Mr.
Michael Smith. When we talk about having people mentor
people, right? And these, these men are constantly, um,
involved in these men's, young men's lives, but not just these, but many
others, and making sure that they get involved.
So I just wanted to recognize the, um, young man from Englewood Urban Prep, why
they were there.
Yeah.
Great.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Of course. Thank you, Alderman Moore.
Chair recognizes Alder Fuentes.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to be acknowledged for quorum.
Very well. Thank you, Madam Clerk.
Chair recognizes Alder Rodriguez-Sanchez.
Mr. President, I would like to be added to the roll.
We can do that. Thank you, Madam Clerk.
The chair recognizes Alderman Will Hall.
We can do that. Please add Alderman Hall to the quorum roll call.
(laughs) Thank
you, Alderman Hall. The chair recognizes Alderman Mitchell.
I'm going to be added as a present for purposes of quorum.
Please add Alderman Mitchell as well. The chair recognizes Alderman Gardner.
Alderman, please add me to the roll.
We can do that. Please add Alderman Garner to the roll call.
Are there any other memb- The chair recognizes Alderman Lamont Robinson.
Mayor, can you please be added to the roll, please? Thank you.
Very well. Please add Alderman Robinson to the quorum roll call.
Are there any other alders that missed the quorum roll call? Very well. Thank you.
Next up is Communications.
All right. Communication to His Honor the Mayor, to the honor of the City Council,
the City of Chicago.
Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of the Commissioner of Planning and
Development, I transmit herewith ordinances authorizing the execution of
intergovernmental agreements with the Chicago Board of Education to provide TIF
funds for improvements at schools within the city.
Your favorable consideration of these ordinances will be appreciated and very true
to yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor, for the Committee on Finance.
Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of the Commissioner of Planning and
Development, I transmit herewith ordinances author- authorizing the execution of
intergovernment agreements, Chicago Park District to provide TIF funds for
improvements at parks within the city.
Your favorable consideration of these ordinances will be appreciated and very true
to yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor, for the Committee on Finance.
Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of the Superintendent of Chicago Board of
Education, I transmit herewith an ordinance authorizing the provision of permit fee
waivers for the Chicago Board of Education.
Your favorable consideration of this ordinance will be appreciated and very true to
yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor, for the Committee on Finance.
Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of the Corporation Counsel, I transmit here
with the 2026 Municipal Code Corrections Ordinance.
Your favorite consideration of this ordinance will be appreciated and very true to
yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor, for the Committee on Budget and Government
Operations. Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of the Budget Director, I transmit
here with an ordinance authorizing the allocation of motor fuel tax funds.
Your favorite consideration of this ordinance will be appreciated and very true
yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor, for the Committee on Budget and Government
Operations. Ladies and gentlemen, I request that the Budget Director transmit
herewith an ordinance authorizing the execution of intergovernmental agreement with
the Chicago Transit Authority and the County of Cook for the allocation of motor,
motor fuel tax funds. Your favorite consideration of this ordinance will be
appreciated and very true to yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor, for the Committee on
Budget and Government Operations.
Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of the Commissioner of Planning and
Development, I transmit herewith an ordinance authorizing a Class 6B Favorable Tax
Classifications status for a property located in 1532 West Fulton
Street. Your favorable consideration of this ordinance will be appreciated and very
true to yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor, for the Committee on Economic Capital and
Technology Development. Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of the Commissioner of
Planning and Development, I transmit herewith an ordinance authorizing Class 6B
Favorable Tax Classification status for a property located
10459 South Muskegon Avenue. Your favorable consideration of this ordinance
will be appreciated and very true to yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor, for the
Committee on Economic Capital and Technology Development.
Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of the Commissioner of Planning and
Redevelopment, I transmit here, transmit herewith an
ordinances authorizing the sale of city-owned properties.
Your favorable consideration of this ordinance will be appreciated and very true to
yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor, for the Committee on Housing and Real
Estate. I, City Clerk Ana Valencia, hereby inform the
City Council that the following documents were filed in my office relating to their
respective subjects designated as follows; Audit...
Office of Inspector General, second follow-up of October 2021, second audit
report regarding whether Chicago Fire Depart- Department's fire and medical
response times are in compliance with National Fire Protection Association
standards, Office of the Inspector General Audit of Chic- Chicago Fire Department's
Annual Fire Prevention Inspection Test, Civilian Office of Poli- Police
Accountability quarterly report for period ended September 30th,
2025, Expression of Opposition to Proposed Establishment of Special
Service Area Number 17-2025. I, City Clerk
Lindsay, inform the City Council that all those matters are referred to consider...
considered by the City Council, the regular meeting held on October 16th,
2025, which is required by statute to be published in pa- book or pamphlet form
one or more newspapers, or published in pamphlet form on November 14th,
2025 by being pin- printed in full text and printed pamphlet copies of the
journal proceedings of the City Council, City of Chicago.Our city clerk also
in f-... Our city clerk, Valencia, also informed the city council of the following
ordinances w- w-... Ordinances which were passed by the city council on October
16th, 2025, which were requested to be published in special
pamphlets... Were published in special pamphlet form.
Approval of plat of W... Or West Holman
Industrial Subdivision, published on October 22nd,
2025, opening of a public way bounded by south Ashland
Avenue, West 119th Street South, Morgan Street and West
120th Street, published on October 22nd, 2025, an
imposition of tax levies, budgets and service provider agreements for special area
numbers 18-23-26-34-35-2015,
62-73-79, published on November 3rd, 2025.
Our city clerk, Valencia, also transmit herewith following miscellaneous
communications and reports requiring city council action.
The zoning reclassifications of particular areas referred to the Committee on
Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards.
Claims against the City of Chicago is referred to Committee on Finance.
Recommendation by commission on Chicago Landmarks for designation at the central
YMCA headquarters at 19 South Lasalle Street, a Chicago landmark which is
referred to Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards.
Correction of September 25th, 2025, city council adjourning of proceedings, which
is referred to Committee on Committees and Roles.
Your Honor, that concludes the reports and communications from the mayor and the
s-... Other city officers.
Thank you, madam clerk. Uh, this is now the portion of the meeting
for our committee reports.
Uh, I believe we have six of them today. Our first committee will be the...
Uh, committee reports will be on
finance. The chair recognizes
Chairwoman Dell.
Thank you, Mr. President and members of the city council.
Reporting for the City Council's Committee on Finance, which held a committee
meetings on November 10th, 2025, the following
items received a do pass recommendation from the
committee. Item number one is an ordinance authorizing the
issuance of tax exempt multi-family housing
revenue bonds to the Martha HHDC
LLC for the Martha Washington Apartments at
2324 West Irving Park Road in the
47th Ward in an amount not to exceed 14
million. Mr. President, unless someone wishes to speak on this
matter, I move passage of this item by roll call vote.
Very well. Members, please use your... Seeing no hands.
Members, please use your e-vote application to record your vote at this
time.
Open. Please use your e-device. The vote is now open.
Please use your e-device. If you need help with logging on or support, please
raise your hand.
(pausing)
Alderman Laspada.
Not present. Alderman
Ramirez.
Yes.
Alderman Ramirez is a yes. Alderman
Quinn. Quinn is a yes.
Alderman Moseley. Moseley is not
present. Alderman Rodriguez. Rodriguez is
not present. Alderman
Cruz. Cruz is not
present. Alderman
Waguespack. Wask-... Wagepack. Wagespack is
not present. Alderwoman Mitts.
Present.
Mitts? Oh, I'm sorry. Mitts, are you a yes or no?
Pre-... Yes.
Mitts is a yes.
Alderman Napolitano.
Yes.
Napolitano is a yes.
Alderman Kanu-...
Kanudsen.
Alderman Kanudsen.
Okay. Alderman Gardner.
Gardner is a yes.
Um, so people walked in. Alderman
Cruz. Cruz is a yes.
Anyone else I missed? Alderman Rodriguez.
Rodriguez is a yes. Anyone else I
missed? Alderman Coleman.
I be, uh, added to, uh, the original roll call for today.
All right. Alderwoman Coleman, you are added to the original roll call.
And how would you like to vote? Alderwoman Coleman would like to
vote yes. Alderman Moseley.
Moseley is a yes. Anyone else walk in I
missed? Alderman Mat-... Uh,
Wagespack. Wagespack is a
yes.
Okay. Anyone else? Anyone else online?
All right, Alderman Kanudsen, just trying you one more time.
Okay. The voting is now closed.
43.
All right. There are 43 yays.
Oh, wait.
There are 42 yays, zero nays. This
motion passes on the motion to
reconsider...The chair recognizes Alderman
Mitchell.
Motion to reconsider vote.
All those in favor of the reconsideration of this vote, signify by
saying, "Aye." Those who oppose say, "Nay." This
motion fails. The chair recognizes Chairwoman Dowell.
Thank you, Mr. President. Item number two is an ordinance authorizing the
first amendment to the redevelopment agreement with Renaissance
Apartments, LP, to adjust the project completion date
for the property at 3745 through
3763 South Wabash Avenue in the Third
Ward. I move passage of this item by the first most favorable roll call
vote on the Committee on Finance report and the associated and successful
motion to reconsider.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
Item number three is an ordinance authorizing the execution of a new
grant agreement with the Chicago Low-Income
Housing Trust Fund to provide rental housing support
assistance for affordable projects.
I move passage of this item by the same motion.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
Item number four is an ordinance amending the municipal code section
2-32-085 regarding the
employee charitable contribution program.
I move passage of this item by the same motion.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
Item number five is an ordinance concerning the authority to enter
into and execute an intergovernmental agreement with the
Chicago Park District for the allocation of CUP fund
funds for improvements at Kelly Park at
3800 North Seminary Avenue in the 44th Ward
in an amount not to exceed 500,000.
I move passage of this item by the same motion.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
Item number six is an ordinance concerning the authority to enter
into and execute an intergovernmental agreement with the
Chicago Park District for the allocation of tax increment financing
funds for improvements at Chase Park at
4701 North Ash- Ashland Avenue in the
47th Ward in an amount not to exceed $7,000,000
in TIF.
I move passage of this item by the same motion.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
Item number seven is an ordinance concerning the
authority to enter into and execute an intergovernmental
agreement with the Chicago Park District for the allocation of
tax increment financing funds for improvements at Ellis Park
at 3520 South Cottage Grove Avenue in the Fourth
Ward in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000.
I move passage of this item by the same motion.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
Item number eight is an ordinance concerning the authority to enter
into and execute an intergovernmental agreement with the Chicago
Park District for the allocation of tax increment financing
funds for improvements at Madison Community
Plaza, located at 4008 West Madison
Avenue in the 28th Ward and an amount not to exceed
500,000. I move passage of this item by the same motion.
Hearing no objection, so ordered.
Item number nine is a substitute ordinance concerning the authority to
enter into and execute an intergovernmental agreement with the
Chicago Park District for the allocation of tax increment
financing funds for improvements at Ogden Park,
located at 6500 South Racine Avenue in the
17th Ward in an amount not to exceed
$12,000,000. I move passage of this item by the same
motion.
Hearing no objection, so ordered.
Item number 10 is an ordinance concerning
the authority to enter into and execute an intergovernmental
agreement with the Chicago Park District for the allocation of
tax increment financing funds for improvements at Humboldt
Park at 1440 North Humboldt Boulevard
in the 26th and 36th Ward in the amount not to
exceed 11.85 million. I move passage
of this item by the same motion.
Hearing no objection, so ordered.
Item number 11 is an ordinance approving amendment number
one to the Divisionhome and Redevelopment Project Area
Tax Increment Finance Program Redevelopment Plan and
Project concerning Section Five in the 26th
and 36th Ward. I move passage of this item by the same
motion.
Y- hearing no objection, so ordered.
Item number 12 is an ordinance concerning...
Authorizing the execution of a TIF redevelopment
agreement with the Pullman Hotel Group,
LLC, to provide funding assistance in the form of a
TIF loan for the development of a 100 key
hotel located at 11040 South
Doty Avenue in the Ninth Ward in the amount not to
exceed
$2,863,821.
I move passage of this item by the same motion.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
Item number 13A is an order authorizing the Corporation
Counsel to enter into and execute a settlement order
in the case of Milady Tejada Rivera and
H- Helen Francisco versus City of
Chicago Officer L. Gorski, Officer Z.
Nolfi, Officer A. Kolisek, case number
2024L005851
in the amount of 500,000. I move passage of this item
by the same motion, with the exception of Alderman Marty Quinn, who wishes to
be recorded as voting "no" on this item.
Here... Yes, the chair recognizes Alderman Lopez.
Thank you, Mr. President. Good morning.
I, too, wish to be-
Good morning.
... recorded as a "no" on this item.
Very well. Please add Alderman Lopez as a "no" on this vote.
Hearing no other objections despite the division, so
ordered.
Uh, item number 13B is an order authorizing the
Corporation Counsel to enter into and execute a
settlement order in the case of Joseph O.
Onisanya-... versus City of Chicago and
Nicaea Bolden, case number
2023-L-2793 in the amount of
$750,000. I move passage of this
item by the same motion as was applied to item number
one.
Very well. Hearing no other objections, so ordered.
Item number 13C is an order authorizing the
Corporation Counsel to enter into and execute a
settlement order in the case of May-
Maysonette versus Guevara, et al, case number
18cv2342 in the amount
of $17 million. I move passage of this item by the
same motion as was applied to item number one.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
Item number 14 is the communication transmitting reports of
cases in which verdicts, judgments, or settlements were entered
into for the month of October 2025.
This will be placed on file with the clerk.
Item number 15 and 16 consist of orders of
authorization for the payment of small, of various small
claims against the City of Chicago and denial of payments of
various small claims against the City of Chicago.
These were direct introductions, and if there are no objections, I move that
these items be placed for passage in the omnibus.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
Item number 17 consists of proposed orders authorizing
charitable solicitation on the Public Way Tag
Day to Planned Parenthood Federation of America
citywide from January 1, 2026 to December
31st, 2026, and Worldwide
Wildlife Foundation citywide from January 1,
2026 to December 31st, 2020,
26. This was a direct introduction, and these will be
placed on file with the clerk. I want the record to reflect that
Alderman Sposato has indicated that he does not support the order
authorizing charitable solicitation permit for Planned
Parenthood Federation of America citywide.
Mr. President, this concludes my report.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Our next committee is the Committee on Budget
and Government Operations. The chair recognizes Chairman
Irvin.
Thank you, Mr. President, members of the City Council.
Reporting for your Committee on the Budget and Government Operations, we held a
committee meeting on November 12th, 2025.
The committee has a series of reports recommending passage of the following
items. Item number one is a communication recommending a proposed ordinance
concerning a redevelopment agreement with 5050 Prairie
LLC to provide Neighborhood Opportunity Funds assistance for
mixed-use development at 5036 through
5044 and 5046 South Prairie Avenue in
the Third Ward. I move passage of this item by the first favorable roll
call vote of the Committee on Finance and the associated
unsuccessful motion to reconsider.
Hearing no objection, so ordered.
Uh, items, uh, two through nine
are transfers
in the 10th,
12th, 13th,
43rd,
44th, 47th,
and the Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy,
as well as the
... Committee on, uh, Lan- zoning, landmarks, and building
standards transfers of funds, uh, internally in the committee.
I make the same motion that there is no objections.
Hearing no objection, so ordered.
Thank you, Mr. President. That concludes my report.
Very well. Thank you. Committee on Economic Capital and Technology Development.
The chair recognizes Vice Chair Moseley.
All right, we'll move to the next commi- committee
then. For Committee on Public
Safety, chair recognizes Chairman
Hopkins.
Uh, thank you, (clears throat) Mr. President.
Reporting for your Committee on Public Safety.
Held a meeting on Monday, November 10th.
Committee recommends passage of the following item, uh, resolution
2025-19950, calling for the
creation of a joint Chicago-Cook County task force to reduce
domestic violence against women.
If no one wishes to speak, I move passage of this item by the first favorable roll
call of the Committee on Finance and unsuccessful motion to
reconsider.
Thank you. The chair recognizes Alderman Sposato.
Uh, I just want to thank my colleague, Alderman Tabares, for, uh, taking this
task on and, um, 100% support it and thank you for, uh, for
taking that on. Thank you.
Very well. Thank you. Seeing no other hands,
so ordered-
Thank you, Mr. President. This concludes my report.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, for the Committee on Housing and Real Estate, the chair
recognizes Alder Cintra Lopez.
Thank you, Mr. President and members of City Council.
Reporting for your Committee on Housin- Housing and Real Estate, which held a
meeting on November 13th, 2025. The committing, the
committee has a series of reports recommending passage of five
ordinances for various land sales.
All items on the summary are from the Department of Planning and
Development. Item one, ordinance
2025-002529, sale of city-owned
property at 1641, 2045, 2047,
2049, 2051, 2055,
2057 West Warren Boulevard and th-
1656, pe- 1658,
1666, 1700, and 1710 West Madison
Street to R.E. Holdings Group LLC under CHI BlockBuilder
platform in the 27th Ward. I move passage of this item by the first most
favorable roll call vote on the Committee on Finance and associated
unsuccessful motion to reconsider.
Hearing no objection, so ordered.
Items two and three are for the market rate sales through the CHI BlockBuilder
platform in the Fifth and Fourth Wards.
They are ordinance 2025-002525 and substitute
ordinance 2025-002527, which
pass as substitute. I move passage of these two items by the same
motion.
Hearing no objection, so ordered.
Item four is a land sale that predates check block builder for city-owned
property, one parcel in the Fourth Ward.
Ordinance 2025-002528. I move passes of
this item by the same motion.
Hearing no objection, so ordered.
The last item on the summary reports is ordinance
2025-002524, a check block builder market rate
sale in the Fourth Ward as well. I move passes of this final item by the same
motion.
Hearing no objection, so ordered.
Mr. President, this concludes my report.
Very well. The chair recognizes Alderman Martin.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would just like to be noted present for purposes of
quorum and marked as a yes on the first most favorable vote in the Committee on
Finance and associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider.
Very well. Thank you, uh, Alderman Martin.
The clerk will add Alderman Martin as part of the roll call, as well as the most
favorable roll call vote, the Committee on Finance and of
course the associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider.
For the Committee on Zoning and Landmarks and Building Standards, the chair
recognizes Vice Chair Lawson.
Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, reporting for, uh, a series of reports for the
Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards, which held a meeting on
November 3rd, 2025. The following items were passed by a majority of
the members present and are grouped for convenience.
Page one contains the historical landmark designations of Fred C.
Beeson House Number 4, located at
5830 North Midway Park in the 29th
Ward, and the Bankers Building, located at 105 West Adams
Street in the 34th Ward. I move passage of these items by the last most
favorable roll call vote of the finance committee report and the
unsuccessful motion to con- reconsider.
Thank you. Yeah, the chair recognizes Alderman
Lopez.
Thank you, Mr. President. Alderman Silvana Tabares and I move to defer and publish
item
02025-0020463.
Alderman Tabares, do you confirm that you wish to be part of this?
Very well. This item will be deferred and published.
The chair recognizes Vice Chair Lawson.
Page one also contains two fee waivers of landmark buildings.
The first is located at 310 West Concord Place in the Second
Ward, and the second is for the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry located
in the Fifth Ward. I move passage of these items by the same motion if there is no
objection.
Hearing none, so ordered.
Moving on. Pages one through nine contain various map amendments in Wards
Four, Six, Eight, 21, 22,
25, 26, 27, 28, 30,
32, 36, 40, 43, and
44. I move passage of these items by the same motion if there is no
objection.
Hearing none, so ordered.
Lastly, page nine contains various large signs over 100 square feet in
area, 24 feet above grade in Wards 22,
27, 29, 34,
42, 47, and 48. I move passage of
these items by the same motion if there is no objection.
Hearing none, so ordered.
Thank you, Mr. President. That concludes my report.
Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. The Committee on Economic Capital and Technology
Development. Chair recognizes Vice Chair Moseley.
Thank you, Mr. President and members of the City Council.
Reporting for the Committee on Economic Capital and Technolody- Technology
Development. On Monday, November 10th, 2025, the committee
held a meeting to re- recommend passage of the following
items. Items one through 24 on the agenda were a series of
scope of services, budget, management agreements,
extensions of terms, and scope of annual budgets for the
following SSAs and location. Item number one,
uh, SSA2 Belmont Central. Item
two, ni- SSA19 Howard Street.
Item three, SSA48 Old Town. Item
four, SSA47 Cottage Grove.
Item five, SSA20
Southwestern Avenue. Item six,
SSA8 Greater Lakewood East. Item
seven, SSA45 103rd
Street and Halsted. Item eight, SSA43
Devon Avenue. Item nine,
SSA29 SS- uh, 2014
West Town. Item 10, SSA21
2016 Lincoln Square. Item 11,
SSA25 Little Village. Item 12,
SSA24 Clark Street Rogers Park.
Item 13, SSA28 2014 Six
Corners. Item 14, SSA31
Greater Ravenswood. Item 15,
SSA38 North Center. Item
16, SSA44 103rd Street
Beverly. Item 17, SSA54
Sheridan Road. Item 18,
SSA56 2022
Bronzeville. Item 19,
SSA75 Oak Street. Item
20, SSA63 West Humboldt Park.
Item 21, SSA1
2015 State Street. Item 22,
SSA15 2025 Central Lakeview.
Item 23, SSA27
Lakeview. Item 24,
SSA4 Bever- 95th Street Beverly.
Item 25, SSA5 Commercial Avenue.
Item 26, SSA7 Kinzie Industrial
Park.
Item 27, SSA10 Back of the Yards.
Item 28, SSA13 Stockyards.
Item 29, 16 Greektown.
Item 30, SSA22 Clark Street
Andersonville.Item 31,
SSA32, 2024 Arban Gresham. Item
32, SSA33, Wicker Park
Bucktown. Item 33,
SSA39, Brighton Archer-
Archer. SS- uh, item 34,
SSA42, 71st Street Stoney Island.
Item 35, SSA50, Calumet Heights
Avalon.
Item 36, SSA51, Chatham.
Item 37, SSA52, 2021 51st
Street.
Item 38, SSA55, 111th and
Kedzie. Item 39, SSA60,
Albany Park.
Item 40, SSA61, 2023 Hyde Park.
Item 41, SSA69, 95th and Ashland.
Item 42, SSA71, Roseland.
Item 43, 72, SSA72 Chicago
Avenue. Item 44, SSA76,
2024 North Michigan Avenue. Item 45,
SSA77, West Garfield Park. Item
46, SSA80, Englewood. Item
47, SSA81, 87th Street
Business. 48, item 48,
SSA82 Division and Dearborn.
I move for passage of these items by the first favorable roll call vote of the
Committee on Finance and associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
Items 49 through 51 on report are a series of tax incentive ordinances that
were approved by the committee. Item 49 is a Class 6B Tax
Incentive Ordinance for the property at 4000 South Racine
Avenue in the 11th Ward. Item 50 is a Class L Tax
Incentive Ordinance for the property at 135 South LaSalle
Street in the 34th Ward. Item 51 is a Class L
Tax Incentives Ordinance for the property at 1032 West
Fullerton Avenue in the 27th Ward.
I move for passage of these items by the first favorable roll call vote of the
Committee on Finance and associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
The ECTD committee meeting was recessed on
Wednesday, November 12th for the committee rev- reconvene and held a
subject matter hearing on the capital improvement plan for
2025 to 2029. No votes were taken. Thank
you, Mr. President. This concludes my report.
Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. This con- concludes all of our committee reports.
Next up, agreed-upon calendar. The chair recognizes Alderwoman
Harris.
Uh, I received from the city clerk, Andrea M.
Valencia, a total of, um,
181 items with two additions proposed for the
agreed calendar consisting of con-
congratulatory, commemorative, and tributary resolutions from the
following alderpersons: Alderperson Hopkins, Alderperson
Dow, Alderperson Harris, Alderperson Quinn, Alderperson
Lopez, Alderperson Coleman, Alderperson O'Shea,
Alderperson Rodriguez, Alderperson Tavares, Alderperson
Mintz, Alderperson Nugent, Alderperson Knudson,
Alderperson Gardner, Alderperson Clay.
With an addition from Alderman...
Alderperson Hopkins, a resolution honoring the career and the retirement of
Donna Pugh. And the other, the last addition is, uh, from
Alderperson Lawson, a resolution honoring the life and le- legacy of
Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt. Thank you.
Very well. This motion has been moved to the passage of the agreed-upon calendar in
the omnibus. Hearing no objections, so ordered.
The chair recognizes Alderwoman Clay.
Uh, thank you so much, Mayor. I'd like to be added to quorum in the first most
favorable roll call vote in Finance.
Very well. Madam Clerk, please add Alderwoman Clay as part of the quorum roll call
as well as the first vote committed on the Finance.
The passage of that, also the
subsequent, uh, motion to reconsider that
failed. The chair recognizes Alderwoman Mintz.
Thank you, Mr. President. I stand to, uh, request a
suspension of the rules to make an acknowledgement.
All right, there's a motion on the floor to suspend the rules so that Alderwoman
Mintz can make a couple of special annou- announcements or
acknowledgments. All those in favor of the suspension of the rules, signify by
saying "Aye." Any opposed say, "Nay." This motion passes.
The chair recognizes Alderwoman Mintz.
Thank you, Mr. President. I stand today to
acknowledge our veterans. Uh, we just
had Veterans Day on Monday, but even in life, we
have veterans- veterans here in the City Council that we
need to recognize those who fought and gave their
life to this country for us, those who have been on the
battleground, those who have suffered mental illness and
postpartum depression that we see dearly out here on the
streets. And yet, we as a city need to
recognize the sacrifice that has been made.
So I stand with my colleagues in the City Council
and for all the veterans throughout this city, state and
the United States, throughout the world who have
sacrificed for a time that we really
appreciate, and we need to know that within our hearts that we
appreciate the work that you've done.
Secondly, I want to recognize World Diabetes Month,
and that is a testimony that I want to share with you because
we are celebrating World Diabetes Month.
It didn't just come, it's becau- it came because
I am a victim of having high, uh,
diabetes. Last year, this time in the City
Council, my blood pressure, my diabetes was off the
chain.
I went to a ribbon-cutting in my community of a
PPC Wellness Center.
I didn't want to go 'cause I was ill.
When I mentioned it, they said, "Oh, no, we gotta help
you."I got into a program, a Food For Life
program.
Food For Life, as we work as aldermen, as
constituents in our ward, we move and we forget
about the basic food that we need to eat, how
to take care of our bodies.
Another reason I wanted to take this journey was because
diabetes, high blood pressure,
cancer, strokes were running many of our families,
take the life of many of our community folks.
I learned that you could change that,
which was a very
em- emotionally important journey.
So this morning, myself and my chairman, Alderman
Taliaferro, held an event in our ward.
We're educating our community
on how to reverse this deadly disease that we
no longer have to accept if we wanna
live.
I chose life,
so therefore, I no longer
eat foods that are harmful to my body,
no longer eat the food that are going to
take away
my life.
Grease, butter,
sugar, all of those things that
hinder us as we get older. I didn't even know we wasn't supposed
to drink milk,
but on a journey for 11 months, you all,
I didn't want to go through this because I felt like I
was too busy to take time out to help myself
and I'm helping others. My doctor say,
"Look, do you want to live?
And if you don't help yourself, you can't help nobody else."
Mr. Mayor, I'm on a journey to take care of me first and
then help my community. I just did the reverse
a- and I'm on a journey so that I can share with the public, 'cause
I hate going by my seniors, by my community house.
Our young peoples are dying because of diabetes, high blood
pressure. We have lost, uh, what the four basic food
groups are. And let me say this, food for
life is God-made food,
plant-based food, that's what we need.
Plant-based food, healthy food, fresh
produce,
vitamins that you can eat. Stop eating all the things that we
want. And I know we like ribs and w- I know we like the Italian
beef. I know we like all of those things.
I know we like them,
but if you think about it before you bite off it, do
you want to live or do you want to die?
That will take the taste out of your mouth.
And I'm just sharing with you that the world need to know,
we don't have to accept these diseases that are causing
us a lot of harm, a lot of dollars for us to
be able to do this ourselves.
So I thank y'all very much for a- allowing me an opportunity to just
share my story and my testimony. And the journey is not over.
This journey never ends, because I want to continue to
live. Stay on the journey, stay
on the... on the battlefield, because it is a battle.
You see your family members eating all this food, you want to grab it too.
(laughs) Go to Thanksgiving dinner, I know how
they're going to have that turkey laid out there for you.
(laughs) But let me say this, you don't have to give up everything.
Just do it in a timely manner. Eat a small
portion, Chairman Irvin. (laughs)
Small portion.
We don't have to load our plate up.
Re- re- direct your comments to me.
I just... I just said load our plate up.
Where, where, where we eating up everything.
Look, I'm, I'm only... I'm only saying this because it's real, you
all, and we need to take it real. Chairman Irvin, I'm not meaning any
harm, 'cause I appreciate your, your role and what you're doing.
Doing a lot of great work to help yourself, and I like to see people when they help
their self. So thank you all so much for allowing me the opportunity to
share my story and my testimonies. Thank you, Mr.
Mayor.
Thank you, Alderman
Alderman Nix.
Chairman
Irvin... Chair
recognizes Alderman Moore.
Um, I'll meet you at McArthur's in the 37th
Ward, and we'll have some greens or something
else. But, uh-
... Ald- uh, the chair recognizes Alderman Moore.
Thank you, Mr. Cr- only while we have the rule suspended, and so we can just c-
carry on with our business. Um, I know when it's our birthdays we get recognized,
but our sergeant of arms and different people help us.
And today is Lincoln Hayes, um, birthday.
And I just wanted to recognize that.
I say happy birthday.
I don't know where he went that quick, but it's his birthday.
Very well. Thank you, Alderman Moore.
Chairman Irvin, on the motion to return back to the regular order of
business?
Uh, I- I make that motion.
Very well. There's a motion on the floor to return back to the regular order of
business. All those in favor, signify by saying aye.
This motion passes. Now back to the regular order of business. Okay.
For new business, uh, the clerk will
call the wards beginning with the first.
Zoning amendments, which are referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and
Building Standards; traffic regulations, traffic control signals and traffic signs,
which are referred to the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety; an exemption
from physical barrier requirements for commercial driveway alley access to parking
facilities, which are referred to the Committee on Transportation and Public
Way;All the person, Laspada has proposed ordinance for amendment of the annual
appropriation ordinance to transfer funds from the First Ward Wage Allowance
Account to the Automatic Expense Account for the year 2025, which
is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alderperson Laspada and others have proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal
Code Section 9-101-060 to require any
appropriation of funds from violations of automated, automated speed
enforcement systems to be expended by ordinance.
It was referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alderperson Laspada has proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code Chapter
2-92 by adding a new Section
2-92-587, entitled Immigration Enforcement
Disclosure, to promote full disclosure about any companies working
with or profiting from immigration enforcement services.
It was referred to the Committee on Contracting Oversight.
Alderperson Laspada... Alderpersons Laspada, Hopkins, Conway, and Lawson have
proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 3-92 by
modifying Section 3-92-020 and
3-92-075 regarding advanced pension
payment as described, as described in the Executive Order
2023-5. It was referred to the Committee on Finance.
Alderperson Laspada has proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code Chapter
2-74 by adding a new Section
2-74-170 regarding turnover, workforce
vacancies, and organizational efficiencies in any departments in Chicago.
This is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alderperson Hopkins has proposed ordinance for an honorary street designation as
Honorary John Hancock Way, which is referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Public Way. Alderman Hopkins also has proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal
Code Chapter 4-60-023 to allow additional package
goods licenses on portions of East Huron Street and North Lake Street...
Lake, or excuse me, North Lake Shore Drive, which is referred to the Committee
License and Consumer Protection.
Alderperson Hopkins also has proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code
Chapter 2-102 by adding a new Section
2-102-110 to require City Council approval to
close Bridges of Chicago for improvements, maintenance, repairs, or other
public work. It was referred to the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety.
Alderperson Hopkins also has proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code
Section 4-4-306 to require search
warrants, subpoenas, or other lawful procedures for police to
request a video surveillance footage from licensed premises.
It was referred to the Committee on Public Safety.
Alderperson Harris has proposed ordinance for amendment of the Annual Appropriation
Audits to transfer funds within the Committee on Committees and Rules for the year
2025, which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alderperson Lee has proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code Title II by
adding a new Chapter 2-41 to require the Department of Public Health
to annually collect race and ethnicity data of city residents
using subcategories for Asian and Pacific Islander, which is
referred to the Committee on Health and Human Relations.
Alderpersons Quinn and Tabares have proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal
Code Title IX by adding a new Section
9-68-035 to regulate effective parking in
residential areas surrounding Midway International Airport, and by
modifying Section 9-92-030 to allow for
impounding of vehicles in violation of the new section.
It was referred to the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety.
Alderperson Quinn has proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code Section
4-4-331 by replacing in its entirety
to prohibit sale of any hemp-derived cannabinoid products on
any locations required to be licensed under the Municipal Code of Chicago, except
by cannabis business establishments, which is referred to the Committee on License
and Consumer Protection. Alderpersons Lopez and Napolitano and Riley have
proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 2-32 by adding a
new Section 2-32-535, prohibiting investment
instruments,
entities, or funds. This is referred to the Committee on
Finance. Two committees called, the Committee on Finance and the Committee on
Budget. The matter is referred to the Committee on Committees and
Rules.
Alderpersons Lopez, Napolitano, and
Riley have proposed ordinance to amend Municipal Code
Section 2-32-520 to prohibit the
city treasurer, to provide... They ask the city treasurer to provide a 30-day
notice prior to change in any investment policies.
This is referred to the Committee on Finance.
Two committees called, the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Budget and
Government Operations. The matter is referred to the Committee on Committees and
Rules.
Alderpersons Lopez, Napolitano, and Riley have proposed order
that the city treasurer be hereby ordered to immediately
cease any boycott policies of United States Treasury backed securities, which
is referred to the Committee on Finance.
Two committees have been called, the Committee on Finance, the Committee on Budget
and Government Operations. Their matters report, refer to the Committee on
Committees and
Rules.
Alderperson Mosley has proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code
Section 4-4-331 to prohibit hemp sales in the
21st Ward, which is referred to the Committee on License and Consumer
Protection.
Alderman Moseley also has proposed order for the issuance of permits for sign
signboards at 8652 South Lafayette Avenue, which is referred to the Committee on
Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderperson Tavares has proposed order for the issuance of permits for sign
signboards at 5050 South Cicero Avenue, which is referred to the Committee on
Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderperson Fuentes have, has the proposed ordinance for an honorary street
designation as Honorary Tony Sandy- uh, Santiago Way, which
is referred to the Committee on Transportation and Public Way,
and a proposed ordinance for an honorary street designation as Honorary Francisco
Frank DeLeon Way, which is referred to the Committee on Transportation and Public
Way. Alderperson Fuentes also has a proposed resolution for submission of
a public question by referendum to Chicago voters at the March 17, 2026
primary election on if new shared housing units should be
limited in the 26th Ward to help address Chicago's rental housing
shortage, which is referred to the Committee on Committees and Rules.All the person
Burnett has proposed orders for the issuance of permits for sign signboards at
various locations, which are referred to Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and
Building Standards. Alderperson Irvin has proposed orders for the issuance of
permits for sign signboards at 3015 West Madison Street, which are
referred to Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderperson Taliferro has proposed ordinance for issuance of permits for sign
signboards at 905 South Menard Avenue, which is referred to Committee on Zoning,
Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderperson Cruz has proposed ordinance for amendment of municipal code section
4-60-022 to allow additional alcoholic liquor
licenses on portion of West Diverti- Diversity Avenue and North Parkside
Avenue, which I refer to the Committee on Licensed Consumer Protection.
Alderperson Waguespack has proposed ordinance for amendment of municipal code
section 4-4-331 that prohibited sale of cannabinoid hemp
products in Mid-South Branch corridor residential area, which is
referred to Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderperson Waguespack also has a proposed ordinance for amendment of
municipal code chapter 3-46A regarding Chicago Ground
Delivery Tax, which is referred to the Committee on Finance.
(pauses)
Alderperson Rodriguez Sanchez has proposed ordinance for amendment of municipal
code section 4-60-022 to allow additional alcoholic
liquor licenses on portion of North Elston Avenue, which is referred to Committee
on License and Consumer Protection.
Alderperson Rodriguez Sanchez has proposed resolution calling on Governor
JB Pritzker to direct the Illinois Commerce Commission to cease all
utility disconnections for non-payment u- universally and to adopt
flexibility, temporary credit, and collection procedures, which is referred to
Committee on Health and Human Relations.
Alderperson Conway has proposed orders for the issuance of permits for sign
signboards at various locations, which are referred to Committee on Zoning,
Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderperson Conway also has proposed orders for amendment of the annual
appropriation ordinance that transfer funds from the 34th Ward Wage Allowance
account to the automatic expense account for the year 2025, which is referred to
Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alderperson Villegas has proposed resolution to call for hearings on the status and
causes of delay in implementing emergency responder commuter aided
dispatch system, which is referred to the Committee on Public Safety.
Alderman Villegas also has proposed ordinance for amendment of municipal code
section 3-56-040 to establish a pilot program
for wheel tax license renewals for qualified veterans, which is referred to the
Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alderma- Alderperson Villegas also has proposed resolution to call on the
Department of Public Health to evaluate strategies and expand access to
affordable insulin and other essential medications, which is referred to Committee
on Health and Human Relations. Alderperson Nugent has proposed ordinance for
amendment of the annual appropriation ordinance to transfer funds within the
Legislative Reference Bureau ex- expense account for the year 2025, which
is referred to Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alderperson Nugent also has proposed ordinance for amendment of the annual
appropriation ordinance to transfer funds from the 34th Ward Wage Allowance to the
ultimate expense accounts for the year 2025, which is referred to Committee on the
Budget and Government Operations.
Alderperson Gardner has proposed resolution calling on President Donald Trump to
release all unredacted files and communications related to the Jeffrey Epstein and
his associates, which is referred to the Committee on Ethics.
Alderperson Gardner has proposed ordinance for vacation of public alleys in the
area bounded by West Bryn Mawr Avenue, North Mead Avenue, and North
Northwest Highway, which is referred to Committee on Transportation and Public
Way. Alderperson Silverstein has proposed ordinance for parking meter installation
of park- or removal of parking meters at 2819 through
2843 West Howard Street, which is referred to the Committee on Traffic- Pedestrian
and Traffic Safety. Alderperson Silverstein also has proposed ordinance for
amendment of the annual appropriation ordinance to transfer funds within co- the
Committee on Licensed and Consumer Protection for the year 2025 personnel
services to contractual services, which is referred to the Committee on the Budget
and Government Operations. Alderperson Silverstein also has proposed ordinance for
amendment of the annual appropriation ordinance to transfer funds within the
Committee on Licensed Consumer Protection for- for the year 2025 from personal
services to commodities and materials, which is referred to the Committee on the
Budget and Government Operations.
Alderman, Alderman Vasquez has- has a proposed
ordinance for amendment of municipal code
chapter 2-4
regarding the reporting on departmental budgets and
operations, which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government
Operations. Your Honor, that concludes the presentation of aldermanic
introductions.
Very well, thank you. Alderman Mitchell for the approval of the journal.
Mr. President, I'm not aware of any corrections to the journal from the October
16th, 2025 meeting, and move that it be approved.
Hearing no objections, so ordered. For unfinished business, Alderman Mitchell.
I'm not aware of any unfinished business.
Thank you. For miscellaneous business.
Except for the ordinance setting the date and time for the next meeting, I'm not
aware of any miscellaneous business.
Thank you. And for the date and time of the next meeting, Alderman Mitchell.
Handed up an ordinance to the clerk setting the date and time of the next meeting.
Madam Clerk, could you please read this
ordinance?
Be it ordained by the City Council City of Chicago Section One, the next regular
meeting of the City Council City of Chicago shall be held on Tuesday, November
18th, 2025 beginning at 10:00 AM in the council chamber on the second floor in City
Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois.
Section Two, the ordinance shall be take effe- effect or be enforced from and after
its passage. Gregory Mitchell, Alderman Seventh Ward.
Very well, thank you, Madam Clerk. Alderman Mitchell.
... omnibus.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
Um, for the omnibus, Alderman Mitchell.
I move that matters in the omnibus be passed by the first most favorable
roll call vote by the Committee on Finance and the uns- and
associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider.
Hearing no objections, so
ordered.Very
well. The chair recognizes Chairman Irvin.
Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, a move to go out of the regular order of
business in order to conduct a public hearing on the proposed executive
budget.
Thank you. On the motion to go out of the regular order of
business, all those in favor, signify by saying, "Aye." Any
opposed, say, "No." This motion passes.
Uh, the time is now 12 noon. Uh, the clerk will read the- the
notice of the public hearing.
The following official notice of the public hearing on the executive budget of the
City of Chicago for fiscal 2026 was published in the Chicago Tribune on November
5th, 2025. Public notice is hereby given that the executive budget of the City of
Chicago for the fiscal year beginning January 1st, 2026 and ending on
December 31st, 2026 was received in the office of City Clerk from
Brandon... Mayor Brandon Johnson on October 16th, 2025, and was submitted
by the Honorable Brandon Johnson mayor to the City Council in the City of Chicago
at a City Council meeting held on October 16th, 2025.
The budget document is in pamphlet form and available for inspection at the office
of the city clerk. Public notice is hereby further given that a public hearing on
the executive budget will be held on Friday, November 14th, 2025 at
11:30 AM in City Hall, 121 North or South Street, Chicago,
Illinois 60602 in the City Council chamber on the second floor.
Any person desiring to appear at the public hearing or present testimony regarding
the executive budget may contact Alvin Stark, Sergeant of Arms, 121 North
Street- No- North or South Street, room
201C-312-744-6800, or appear and fill
out a witness slip before the hearing.
If you require specific language accommodations, including ASL interpreting,
please email access@cityofchicago.org by November 10th,
2025- 2025. Dated in Chicago, Illinois, this 5th day of
November 2025, Andrea and Valencia City Clerk, City of
Chicago.
Thank you.
Um, any person who wishes to testify on the budget has had an
opportunity to sign up with the witness slips provided by the sergeant at
arms. The sergeant at arms, at this point, uh, will collect those slips and bring
them to the
rostrum.
Oh, they're already here. Very well.
Thank you.
Um, each speaker is limited to three minutes.
And the first speaker
that I have is Jada Potter.
(coughs)
Good afternoon.
Um, okay. Hi, my name is Jada Potter.
I am a proud resident of the Fifth Ward and an organizer with
JCUA. I'd like to direct my public comment today to my
alderman, Desmond Yancy, and just remind you who elected
you, the people, not the corporate lobby and not the yacht
lobby. We are urging you to support the
corporate head tax and to support the yacht tax, which would help
fund progressive programs in our city.
We are currently facing a budget crisis, where federal grants funding
programs like the youth peacekeeping jobs and care teams
are being threatened by our federal government.
We need you to support this progressive source of revenue
in order to fund these programs. Our city has seen
a historic drop in crime thanks to these youth peacekeeping
jobs, and police have no business being involved in
mental health crises. And we need the money to be able to support the care
teams that are non-police crisis
responses.
No one wants to increase taxes, but we have to remember that this is an
issue of priorities. Do we prioritize corporations and yacht
clubs, or do we prioritize the people, the people who voted
you, the people who helped put the Jackson Park
Housing Pilot Ordinance in this budget?
We urge you to support the corporate head tax and to support the yacht
tax in Chicago. Thank
you.
Thank you very much. Our next
speaker, Shirley
Oliver.
Shirley Oliver.
Okay, we'll set this one to the side for a moment if Shirley decides to
return. Our next speaker
is
last name Kanin.
Looks like
Shrick, Shrock-Kanin.
Okay, we'll set this one to the side as well.
Oh, wait.
We'll set this one to the side as well.
Paula Hickman.
Is Paula Hickman here?
Okay.
Chris
Paulus.
Thank you. Um,
uh, so I wanted today speak a little bit about, uh...
So, uh, my name is Chris Poulos. I'm a researcher with the Chicago Teachers Union.
Uh, I want to speak today, one, uh, why this budget is- why the
Protecting Chicago budget is important and what it does, and then talk a little
bit about what a no vote costs Chicagoans in our schools and our
residents. So, to start off, I think it's important to note the
historic nature of this budget. We really haven't had a budget that
attacks the moment we're in like this since
basically Harold Washington. That's nearly four decades ago.
So really, if you think about it, we have not had a budget that chooses to invest
over cuts since the Bulls won the Super Bear.... very long time ago.
Um, what does a no vote cost our residents?
One tool you can use to look at this is, uh,
protectingchicagoschoolscalculator.com.
It allows you to look up by ward how much a no vote will cost your
ward in terms of, uh, loss of TIF surplus.
So just some examples. Uh, if you look up Ward 10, that's
about $15 million lost with a no vote in, uh... I'm sorry.
This goes directly to s- in terms of, um, costs to our
schools. A no vote in the 10th Ward would cost our schools about 15,
$15 million and a loss of 216
positions. Uh, in the 11th Ward, uh, schools would
lose over $6 million and 89 positions with a no
vote. Uh, in the 24th Ward, schools would lose over $17
million and about 231 positions. So
those are big lo- A no vote is a big loss to Chica-
working Chicago residents. Um, yep, that's all. Thanks.
Thank you. Our next speaker, Brianna
Champion.
Brianna Champion. All right, very
well.
The next speaker that I have
is Brad
Peak.
Brad
Peak.
Our next speaker is Zoe Lee.
No
vote. Now I have g- Well, first of all, um, good
morning or good afternoon.
My name is Zoe Lee, I'm the founder of Chicago Flips
Red. You already know I personally have an issue with
you. But I want to discuss why the
$21 head tax is terrible.
Since you've let me grow my organization, Chicago
Flips Red, 'cause you would not s- tell that lady next to you to settle my
family's case, I have a conservative movement.
And because you guys keep paying for, like, protests
and abusing our police and all those things, I've
decided to use the Trump Tower to bring
conservative mindsets into the State of Illinois,
Chicago, to help bring revenue here.
Because as you see, the magnificent mile is sad.
It needs a miracle, like President Trump was trying to
say. I bring 50
to 200 people into the Chica- into
Trump Tower because I have no
place
to g- to go to bring them to. So I
was... I bring... I'm bringing people here, tabs
$2,900, $3,600.
And they are scared to hire more people because of
the $21 head tax.
We need revenue. We're on $1.2 billion
deficit. We're the
third-largest city in the country.
There's no better summertime than Summertime Chi.
So a boat yacht tax is crazy
when half the people don't know how to swim
and we losing heroes, Chicago young heroes
from Lake Michigan.
There's plenty of ways to bring in money.
Chicago is culture.
I don't understand why only... I know why.
You from Elgin, you graduated from Evanston, so
that's why you don't know. You been a
clown. But
from one non-goofy to a
goofy,
you... The $21 head tax ain't gonna work in this
city, and these corporations are
behind me.
It's a no. 100, 200, 1,000,
3,000 it's a no. Look at S- the S- the State Street,
State Street looks sad.
We l- It's an embarrassment.
Socialism, communism never going to work.
Never, in a capitalist society,
never.
Thank you. Our next speaker is Dennis
White. Dennis
White.
Well, well, well, well, Chicago have another problem here, a
budget problem, crime problem, a mayor's problem,
City Council problem, a Democratic problem.
This is where the problem is. Now, you over
here defending these illegal aliens
like they're your children, and they probably are.
Because if you are a Haitian mayor
then we need to check your immigrant status for deportation.
So my thing is to... when you have
these Hispanic aldermen to go from Bridgeview,
they don't live in Bridgeview, 73% of the resident
of Bridgeview are Black, what are these Hispanic
aldermen doing there protesting?
Well, I don't know, maybe they are the Hispanic
triple Ks. So my question is, who's the grand wizard of the triple
Ks right there? Now, I got something to
say. When you all, uh, pledge allegiance to that
flag-... if you're aligned to that flag or if it's
a- a lip sync that y'all do. Because
whatever's going on here in the City of Chicago, it's too
much going on with somebody who
is competent as you are,
and you over here being investigated over that $3.2
million that you probably pocketed.
And then,
I want to say something to this. I observed everybody stand up
for the flag, I stood up for the flag 'cause I defended that flag right there, as
a veteran. But I observed two expanded personnel
behind me who went that way, who did not stand up for the flag.
But when you stand up for prayer and then pray for the
LGBTQ, they stood up. No problem for that.
And I would like to address something to Alderman Martin.
When that lady got arrested from ICE, for ICE, she had a
warrant.
You all guys
know the Constitution, but you don't respect the
Constitution. So, where is the honor?
And if I was you, I'll take the Honorable Mayor Brandon
Johnson out because there's no honor in you.
As far as these illegal aliens, they only have about two more
rights. They have the right to remain silent or do-
they have the right to rema- remain dead.
It don't make me no difference no more, because if you want violence here in
the city, because you were the one who say a civil war.
And then, you run to the United State, I mean the United Nation,
talking about an investigation for human rights because of Donald Trump.
You need to be investigating for human rights here in the City of
Chicago, Brandon Johnson. And one more thing, when
Trump get rid of these aliens, I'm gonna say,
"Hit the road, Jack. Don't you come back no more, no more," or,
"'Ice, Ice Baby."
Our next speaker is Jessica Jackson.
Okay. So, as a actual Black
person here in Chicago, I
have- I'm very upset about the fact that
I'm actually watching Black citizens of Chicago be
torn as to whether or not they sus- sup- if they
should continue to support you or not.
Because I recognize that it's some type of illness or whatever
that makes Black people in this city get in that lane
of, "We're gonna support him
no matter what just because he's Black." Even though your
Blackness is questionable. So, I want to do something that's
fair to the Black people in this city so that they don't have to be
torn about who you are. How about we do
this, Mayor Brandon Johnson, to prove how Black you are
and to prove how much you stand against white
supremacy with all this revolutionary talk that you
talk?
Because it's easy to talk that kind of talk when you're
directing it all the way to Washington DC, all the way to
Pennsylvania Avenue, all the way to President Donald
Trump. I say
stand on business, like the youngins say, and prove
you really about that "fighting white supremacy"
life. And this is what I want you to do, I'm gonna give you
opportunity. I got a case over here on
Monday
in the Daley Center with a whole bunch of corrupt
white judges, a bunch of white
corrupt public administrators. Show the city
what you really about as a Black man.
Come over there and defend me. Stand up for the fact that
you know that the city and the county is trying to illegally
take my property and other Black people's property.
Show them that you about that life.
Come over there and be over there at the Fi- at the
Daley Center. Don't reach all the way to Capitol Hill when
you can get down right here and beat white supremacy right
here. Stop this division that's going on with Black
people, that you out here trying to act like you about being
Black like that, acting like you standing
against Trump, against white supremacy, while you are literally
watching these white judges and these white public administrators beat up
on me. Come on, Mary Richardson Laurie. Come on.
Black woman. Ain't the Democratic Party all about Black
women and protecting the Black woman?
Y'all come over there
on Monday, November 17th. Bring your cameras, bring the
media. Let everybody see that you really about that life, that
you about that revolutionary Black people life.
And come defend this Black woman that you know, and Mary Richardson
Laurie, you know, 'cause you done seen the documentation.
You know that they
.
Thank you very much. Our next speaker is
Danielle Carter.
There you go.
You got a Black woman right there, Black man.
You got a Black woman right there, Black man, with a Black wife and three
Black kids and LGBT. You got two Black ladies over
there, Black man, who just told you.
You got a Black man right here who just told you their properties are
being taken. Black people properties are being taken
by your guy, Obama... that's displacing senior
citizens and Black people, Black man.
Where's the pr- I want you to co- stand up with us and do a
press conference with us. When you gonna do it, Black man,
Brandon Johnson, since you are fighting white supremacy?
All these Black people said they reached out to you.
That's a Black man right there who wanna get his kid, Black man,
since you so family-oriented. Where...
Can we get a press conference with you and these Black aldermen?
Can we get y'all to stand up with us?
'Cause you not really about that life, Black man.
See, it ain't about that. See, you a communist, you foreigners.
And you a foreigner. And see, you communists and socialists
think that we're going to allow you to come in Chicago
with the true citizens born and raised here, and we gonna let a, a
foreigner from Elgin come in, destroy our
city? You thought that, right? It was fun- it was fun and games in the
beginning. You thought that was gonna happen, Black man, but you got
Black women that's gonna make sure that it
don't. And the white man that's so
racist, we got the white man that's racist, the ones helping
us.
So, all this race shit and division talk, Black man, do
something that's really destroying our community. Get...
Let's stand with us with the crime, Black man, with the
violence going on in our community, Black man.
All the abandoned buildings, the money that y'all stole that never made it to our
communities, Black man. Stand with us with that, Black man.
This something you can do. Get rid of those illegals that you spent
all that money on, and put those resources in our community.
That's, that's one of the budgets that you can do in that budget.
And study taxing the rich, Black man, but you are the rich.
So, you think that pension that you think you gonna get when you get outta office,
that million-dollar pension, millionaire Brandon Johnson, you think you gonna
get that? No, you gonna go to jail, my boy.
Black man.
Black man, you going to jail. President Trump, DOJ,
we are calling on you. Black women, the beautiful Black women that you
talked about, we are calling on you to get this Black
man up outta office and lock this Black man up.
You think you just gonna ride in the sunset with that million dollars of pension
off the backs of our plight? You think that's what's gonna
happen?
Black man.
Black man, you and your Black wife and Black kids just gonna run off in the sunset
and go live good while we are right here in our community
strug-
Thank you very much. Our next speaker is George
Blakemore.
Talking
about how many people, how many slips do you have.
And you said, uh, he said 30 slips.
Thank you for here, sitting here, hearing the 30
people. When, when these
chairmans, th- would do a
lottery, Irving and all of them, they won't
listen to the people. Uh, uh, I don't know who's giving you a little
advice, but that was some good advice.
If it's 20 slips up here or 50 slip,
you sit, uh, sit and listen to the people.
So, make sure that these other Black men
and women who chair these committees, when they come up to
speak, if it's 30 people that signed up, let them
all speak, because you getting paid to serve
them. So you remember that, Irving.
The, the mayor don't want you to have that lottery anymore.
You cannot take... He said let down
by...
If 100 people sign up... Get away from me. If 100 people sign up...
Get away from me.
Speak in the mic, Mr. Blakemore, so we can hear you.
If 100 people sign up, you sit, uh, sat
here and listen to them,
the people, because you are here to serve the
people. Now, uh, they was beating up on Brandon
Johnson, and, uh, you, you, you'll do that.
Uh, but these other Black men and
women who voted for a sanctuary, he didn't
do this by himself. They support, uh,
that move. The other Blacks, imamists, all
of 'em, all of 'em, call them out.
All of 'em, the Black
ones, all of 'em. So, when you get to whooping the, A,
wh- whoop all of them, A.
That's, that's-
Whoop, whoop all of them, A. Not only that A, but
all of them in this sanctuary doodoo.
Uh, uh, uh, bringing illegals in to, to, to, uh,
uh, uh, to put Black people out there,
gentrifying them out. Every one of them needs that
little whooping. So, when you come up and beat up on Brandon Johnson, beat up on
all the Black faces in high places, trying to
let people out. All of 'em,
all of them. Not just your-
Just wh-
Okay.
All right. Thank you, Mr. Blakemore.
We just want you to be careful with that microphone. That's the only one we have.
You're welcome. Okay.
All right. Our next speaker is Liz Chapman.
One more time, Liz Chapman.
All right, so Liz Chapman is foregoing, uh, their time.
Ishan
Daya?
You know, just be careful with that mic. That's the only one we have.
Will do.
Thank you. Hey, alders, uh, my name is Ishan Daya.
I am speaking to you as a neighbor, um, also as a
policy researcher, um, and also as a small and
medium-sized business owner. Right, so as we think about the
choice that is in front of us, I want to be really clear, right?
There is discussion that's already been had which I really agree
with, which is that we cannot continue to tax
working people into oblivion and push them out of this
city. Right, we cannot continue to balance this
budget on the backs of people that are renters and low-income
homeowners in this city. Because as you are talking about raising a
property tax, I'm talking to the alders here, as you are talking about raising a
property tax, what that means is an increase in rent for our working class
families that are already looking at an 80%
increase in the cost of their healthcare next year. Right?
This is a question that parents...
that my parents have had to ask, which is, "Am I gonna pay
for the asthma medicine for my son, or am I gonna
pay for food on the table of my family?"
And what I want everyone here to understand is that this is a choice between, "Do I
balance this budget on the backs of those families that are struggling every day
already, and are going to be struggling more come January
1st? Or do I ask large
corporations to chip in
half a cent of every payroll dollar, half a
cent of every payroll dollar into things that fund
community safety? Things that we know improve the
ability to walk on the streets, improve the ability for people to have
more dollars in their pockets to go to those small and medium-sized
businesses and patron them?" The option
is clear for us. We cannot see a doubled garbage fee for
that family that's already struggling.
We cannot see an increased grocery fee when we're already seeing grocery
prices skyrocketing. We cannot see an increase in
rents. We cannot see an increase in property
taxes, because our families are struggling every single day.
So, the question that y'all have in front of you is, "Am I gonna tax
large corporations just a drop of the billions of
dollars of tax breaks that they got?" McDonald's got a billion
dollars this past year. Google got $10 billion this past year.
Or am I gonna tax poor people in this city?
Am I gonna tax people that have to make the question every single day, "Do I
pay for medicine for my kids, or do I pay for food on my
table?" And if that's not the question that you're asking yourself,
you're listening too much to corporate lobbyists and not enough to your
constituents that are asking this question to themselves every day.
Thank you. Our next speaker is Casey Sweeny.
Is Casey Sweeny still here?
Good afternoon, everyone.
How are we feeling?
Feeling terrific.
Feeling terrific? Thank you so much. My name is Casey Sweeny.
I'm a resident of the 27th Ward, I see my
alderman. Uh, and here with the Chicago
Teachers Union.
How many of you have Chicago Public Schools families in your wards?
All of you. I know you're not gonna raise your hands right now with me, but...
But all of you do. Almost all of you have schools in your
wards, um, and you... That, that serve young people who
need to be invested in. The Protecting Chicago Budget
puts forward unprecedented investments in our schools, our
parks, our libraries, a billion dollars into those
services. And my colleague, Chris, said what's at stake with your no
vote. There are 7,000 union jobs in CPS on the
line with a no vote on this budget. Um, many of you put your names on
a letter promising a TIF surplus to Chicago Public Schools, I hope you
commit to that promise you made. But I want to be very clear
about, like, who can and who can't afford.
All of you saw the auctions in New York.
Affordability is a, is a big issue for people, those of us,
uh, deciding what we can afford to pay.
Um, is it a gas bill or putting gas in our car?
Google had $22 million for Trump's ballroom.
I think it is obvious who in the city of Chicago can
afford to pay right now to invest in our young
people, it is corporations like Amazon, Google,
Target, um, that $21 an employee...
Some of you have probably been to their offices for lunch, they've got the cold
brew on tap. They can afford this community safety
surcharge to make our city safer. Um, I
really hope the message is clear. I think the choice is obvious when I'm
knocking on doors, when I'm talking to members in your schools.
I've visited Lane Tuck in the 47th Ward, I was at Mollison in the
Third Ward. It's pretty obvious when we're talking to educators who should
pay. It shouldn't be us, it shouldn't be our rents going up.
I'm a resident in the 27th Ward, but I was a resident in the
36th, um, but my rent went up over five years,
$500, because the property tax increase gets passed onto
renters. Uh, please, please vote
yes on the Protecting Chicago Budget, make this investment in our
city and our young people. It's the progressive choice.
Um, and do not balance the budget on working people's backs.
Thank you.
Our next speaker is Chris
Baron.
Do we have a Chris Baron?
All right. We'll hold that one, if Chris is not here.
Rocio Garcia. Rocio
Garcia.
The rich person.
Hi, City Council. I'm Rocio Garcia, but today I'm
also the richest CEO of the richest
corporation in Chicago. And I'm so
proud to be here with you all, because I see that you are
making sure to stand with me to protect the interests of
rich people like me and protect my billions
to buy my diamonds that I get to wear to your City Council
meeting. I really don't care that young people have
jobs and more opportunities. That's not my concern.
(laughs)
The truth is that they need to pull themselves up by
their own bootstraps. And if they don't have
shoes, then they should go to a secondhand store and beg
for them. The people who matter most in Chicago are those of us
who live in luxury homes and live in high rises,
those of us who live in the Trump Tower.
That's a leader, a leader who truly understands the needs
of rich corporations and billionaires like me.
I am so proud of the leadership in the country.
The President is truly making America great again, and Chicago's gonna
be even better, huh?
Yeah.
You know what? I'm also so proud of you 27
City Council members that signed the letter to ensure that we protect the
interests of me and my rich
friends. But you know what I'm really sick and
tired of? Pretending to work every single
day. I'm really under so much pressure and
scrutiny with the taxes that you're thinking about imposing on
me. What is that all about?
For so long, I have enjoyed the status quo that is felt across this
city, and that's why I've wanted to keep on mooching off of the
poor people in Chicago and make sure that my wallet keeps
getting fatter. You know what I had to do?
I had to get a bigger safe. I had a bigger safe, bec- I had
to get a bigger safe because my billions don't fit in my current
safe. That's why I had to move my billions and
millions of dollars into the Cayman Islands.
But you know what I'm most excited to do with the extra money that I'm
making while not working multiple jobs to make ends meet and
not struggling between paying a light bill or paying the
medication for my child's asthma?
But what I promise to keep doing is to keep funding the PACs
and the Super PACs
to line your future campaigns and take down those
other City Council members who are not on my side or our
side, wink wink. Those alders who care about
young people and childcare workers and providing housing
and providing critical programs for all
Chicago, those are the City Council members
that must go. They're not making Chicago great
a-
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Our next speaker is Allison
Chesley.
Thank you. Our next speaker is Allison
Chesley.
All right. No Allison Chesley. Please, uh, come back to order,
please. No Allison Chesley. Um,
Rountree, our next speaker,
uh, Rayski- Rayski
Rountree.
Yep.
Case number 25P2269 and
2019D080, I'm not gonna be long this
time, but like I was saying earlier, I don't understand how is these
people allowed to kidnapping
kids, trafficking kids and harbor
runaways
and nothing happens? Like I said, the, uh,
police station at 17th and State
refused to even write the complaint up correctly.
I'm still trying to get help, but I know what I'm gonna have to
do. I'm gonna have to send this investigation to the feds, and
don't nobody want to be investigated by the feds.
My son was kidnapped. He needs to be back with his only family member that's
living, which is me, Rayski Rountree, also known
as Herman Rountree. That was my other name before I got it changed.
Just trying to get my son back. Um, all this illegal stuff is
unnecessary. It should not be happening.
It's- it's ridiculous how this, uh, Chicago, Illinois is
being treated. It's real bogus. It- it don't need to happen.
It needs to stop immediately. Chicago, flip red, plain and
simple.
Thank you for your comments. Our next speaker is Julie
Dworkin.
Good afternoon. I'm Julie-
Good
after- ... Dworkin with Institute for the Public Good, and I wanted to make you aware
of some of the tax breaks that the corporations
that are opposing the community safety surcharge are
receiving.So, the top 20 publicly
traded companies in Chicago
would contribute 20% of the community safety
surcharge, these 20 largest corporations.
And these 20 largest corporations accrued
approximately $323 billion in
post-tax profit last year.
And in addition to that, they just received an additional
$60 billion in tax breaks that were
extended just recently at the federal
level. So, to put a finer point on
it, I wanna let you know specifically how much these companies are
receiving in tax breaks. Google,
$16 billion; JPMorgan Chase, $11
billion; Bank of America, $4 billion;
Walmart, $4 billion; UnitedHealth Group, $3
billion; Home Depot, $3 billion;
Citigroup, $2 billion; T-Mobile, $2 billion;
McDonald's, $1 billion; Accenture, $1
billion; Union Pacific, $1 billion;
Salesforce, $1 billion; Ford Motor Company,
$1 billion; UPS, $1
billion; IBM, $1 billion;
BMO, $1 billion; Mandalay
International, $1 billion; CIBC, $1
billion; SAP, $720 million;
and CME Group, $630
million. And what they would be paying
for this community s- safety surcharge is
1/1000 of the amount that they just received in
tax breaks. And to be clear, it is not just these companies
that are receiving these corporate tax breaks, it is all companies in
Chicago that have just received the largest federal corporate
tax breaks in history. So, any claims
that this s- surcharge would cause job
loss or businesses to leave Chicago is simply
disingenuous. They can afford
it.
Thank you. Our next speaker is Carl
Gutierrez. Carl
Gutierrez.
Hello. Hello, thank you. Um, good afternoon.
My name is Carl Gutierrez, speaking on behalf of a broad coalition of
businesses of all sectors, sizes, and communities across our city.
Uh, we wanna first thank this body, um, uh, for the work that they've been doing
over these past couple weeks on this very difficult budget.
Um, however, we do stand in opposition to the budget under, as it's currently
drafted. This is the largest, uh, deficit in our city's
history. Um, our city's businesses, families, and
taxpayers, uh, you know, really need and deserve complete
transparency on these issues of such significance.
Um, as of currently, um, w- the residents and
council members have not been receiving basic answers, uh, to
questions, um, about the proposed budget, and are
expected to vote on it as early as next week.
Our concerns are broken into kind of a core form, which is
that, rather than seeking necessary balanced, prudent, and sustainable
solutions that drive broad-based, comprehensive, and sustainable
growth, the budget instead turns to, uh, you know, taxes to
gi- uh, uh, that challenges job growth, fiscally irresponsible quick
fixes that will immediately lead to credit downgrades, which make it
more, and needlessly more expensive to run the city, as well as
additional borrowing that saddles taxpayers with more interest payments, all while
ignoring opportunities to make necessary structural
changes. In bri- in conclusion, this budget is not
ready. W- our ask
is that to understand, uh, that we, that while we understand addressing the budget,
um, as a fiscal crisis requires shared sacrifice, we respectfully
urge, uh, the mayor as well as this body to pause in moving forward to allow time
to consider serious long-term solutions that will not put us in the same
scenario next year, and then instead set us up for future
shared and collective success. Thank you.
Thank you. Our next speaker is Alex
Goldenberg. Alex
Goldenberg.
Good morning. I come to you today on behalf of the billionaire
CEO of Salesforce and all the rich corporations and billionaires
in this city, thankful that members of the city council have had the courage
to stand up against the working families and poor people of this city.
I've been working with my friends at the Civic Committee and the Commercial Club,
representatives of the wealthiest Chicagoans, billionaires, the owners, the one who
sign campaign contribution checks.
I'm talking, of course, about Michael Sachs, the chief advisor to Rahm Emanuel, and
our lieutenants, Chuck Swirsky and Michael Ruemmler, all of the Rahm guys who have
worked so hard to ensure the wealthiest Chicagoans don't pay their fair share.
You know their names. You've gotten their calls.
From Derek Douglas, the executive director of the Mer- Commercial Club.
He's called your office. He's let you know it's not just the unions and the
individual donations who can contribute to your campaigns.
They can also fund your campaigns, and they will, gladly.
I want to thank all 27 who signed that letter saying that you oppose taxing the
large corporations. Look, it's not that we can't afford it.
We can. We just don't care about working people.
In fact, we would rather see working people starve than give, well, what did that
friend of mine Sam say? One more cent to fund community youth
programs. See, with the Trump tax cuts, we made $1 billion in
additional savings here at Salesforce.
That's how much that tax cut was. The community safety surcharge would mean that we
would only make $999,500,000 in tax breaks.
That's just not enough.It's not enough.
Sure, the city wants to tax rich corporations to fund good things like youth jobs,
mental health services, gender-based violence.
These are great things, but not on the backs of the rich corporations.
These should be funded on the backs of the poor and working families.
That's the way this council have always done things, and how it ought to continue.
In closing, as Winston Churchill once said, "We shall defend our profits whatever
the cost may be." We shall fight with text messages.
We shall fight with digital ads. We shall fight in the editorial pages and the
pro-rich corporation coverage in the legacy press.
We shall fight by having our well-paid corporate lobbyists call your offices.
We shall never surrender. Thank you.
Rahm 2028.
Nora Flanigan. Our next speaker, Nora
Flanigan.
Good afternoon.
Um, I am a lifer in Chicago. I'm born and raised in the
19th Ward. Hey, Alderman O'Shea. I now live all the way up in the
50th... Alderman Silverstein...
which is about, about as far apart in Chicago as you can go.
I also lived on the West Side, just getting that out there.
This whole city is my neighborhood. I care about every part of Chicago.
My two kids have attended their neighborhood CPS schools.
My husband is a captain on the Chicago Fire Department. We are invested.
This is our city. We care about all of Chicago, and I'm here to advocate for
passing the Protecting Chicago Budget.
I specifically want to talk about youth employment, because others have spoken on
some of the other important issues, but I want to tell you about my sons.
I have a 19-year-old son who's in his second year at Johnson & Wales
University Culinary School after he discovered his love of cooking
through the One Summer Chicago program at Manly High School in their full
teaching kitchens, which are, are in great danger of being closed due to
lack of funding in our schools.
My younger son spent last summer at Schurz High School
learning auto mechanics, 'cause he's that kid who's been taking things apart and
putting them back together since he was a toddler and wants to wrench on
planes or cars or airplanes. He discovered mechanics
through the One Summer Chicago program through After School Matters as well.
I have two kids who have found what they love and found how they want to
spend their careers and their lives through programs whose funding is
dependent on this budget. We have got to fund
our kids' futures. We've got to fund our kids' futures through the schools.
We gotta fund their kids, our kids' futures through these job programs that
expanded to make space for my kid last summer.
Um, Google's gonna be fine. Have you looked across the street?
They're fine. McDonald's is gonna be fine.
Our schools, especially schools like Manly High School on the West
Side, like Schurz on the Northwest Side, like where my younger son attends right
now, Mather. Mather has been hit hard by the cuts to
our programs, and they stand to lose a lot more if we don't pass this
budget, and Mather has a lot of vulnerable student populations that need our
support right now. So I'm here to say we can tax the corporations.
McDonald's will also be fine. Salesforce will also be
fine. But our kids and our families, our families cannot
fund this city on a property tax increase.
As a homeowner in Chicago, we are stretched.
We shouldn't be paying for this through grocery taxes or increasing our garbage
pickup fees.
Families aren't the ones who can afford this.
The top corporations can. No, I'm good, I'm here
for life. Um, thank you. Pass this budget, get the
funding in place, and keep supporting families like mine to stay in
Chicago. Thank you.
Our next speaker is Anne
Wottonzer.
Anne?
Okay. Anne, last name starts with a...
Okay. Is that you? Could you say your last name?
It's Watanabi.
I was not close. Thank you, Anne.
(laughs) Thank you. I have terrible handwriting. Um, good afternoon.
My name is Anna Watanabi. I'm a registered nurse and a former mental
health worker with Thresholds, and I'm also just a concerned citizen
of Chicago. Um, I'm also here to advocate for the Protect
Chicago Budget to be passed. Um, I have had
loved ones in my life who have been brutalized by the police
in the process of, um, calling for help for a
mental health crisis, and, um, it's essential that we protect
programs like the CARE program that would prevent this from
happening. Um, I know there's been a lot of
concern about the corporate head tax, but like many other people have
said, there's no evidence to show that a corporate head tax would
drive business from Chicago. We know that when, uh, Rahm
Emanuel got rid of the corporate head tax in 2014, we have
not seen any difference in job growth between
2014 and now, compared to the national job growth.
Um, what we are asking corporations to pay
is a drop in the bucket for them, but given the
massive amount of profit and wealth that they have, it
is essential funding for our city to get the services that we
need. And we especially need our city
council and our local elected officials to stand up
against the federal attacks, not only against ICE
agents who have been in our streets kidnapping our neighbors, but
also against all of these federal funding cuts that also
kill people. I see this all the time in my job as a nurse at the
hospital, that cuts to services, cuts to public health,
cuts to mental health services, cuts to, you know, youth
jobs. These are all things that also......
are, have brutal impacts on our
communities, our neighbors, and our city.
Um, so
I am just asking that our City Council listen to your constituents
and advocate for what's best for your constituents, not for wealthy
corporations, um, and pass, pass the budget that we
need, and to bring in the revenue that we need from the
people that can afford to pay it, not on the backs of people who are already being
stretched thin and will continue to be stretched even more
thinly, um, because of all the federal cuts and attacks that are coming
down on us. Thank you.
Lynn Bailey. Lynn
Bailey.
Good afternoon.
Um, I spoke earlier, but I just wanted to
reiterate, um, what I was saying about
our organization has been affected, um, with funding.
And personally, me and 30 other families have been
affected by a private lender, Rock360, which the
city is aware of, and we can't move
forward with teaching our children until our
funding is, um (laughs) , addressed.
Um, I am a former detective with the Hillside Police
Department. Um, I didn't leave because I had
to. I left because I felt my impact was
greater being in the streets with our children,
following up with them and making sure that they get the resources that they
need, making sure that they don't have to go to suburban
cities to find safety. They don't have to go
outside of their communities to get the help they need when we have the
resources here to help them. But
unfortunately, they are seeing that, "Hey, you were a
detective, you lived in the City of Chicago, and you're not getting the
support. How can we
even feel that we have the chance to get that as well?" So,
I'm asking the mayor's office, I'm asking the City of Chicago
to support our organization,
it is called Love U 2,
to teach them financial literacy, to teach them
mental health awareness, to teach them the things that are affecting them
and causing them to go out in the streets to do the things that I, that they
do. 90% of crime is done by
juveniles. They don't have the resources.
They have to go outside their communities to get these resources, and that's not
fair to the cities, to the kids in our city.
So, I'm asking you guys to support our
organization. Thank you.
Cecilia Mendoza.
They don't have
(inaudible)
Good afternoon.
My name is Cecilia Mendoza. I live in the 10th Ward, and I'm
also the associate director of government relations with the National Immigrant
Justice Center, NIJC. And I'm here to urge City
Council to maintain level funding for the Chicago Legal Protection Fund at
$3 million in the city budget. Since 2017,
the Chicago Legal Protection Fund has empowered educated communities
of their rights through a network of community navigators and
connected Chicago residents to free legal representation with their immigration
case.
With the Trump Administration's violent attack on our city, communities
cannot lose this vital resource. Any loss of funding would
leave thousands of community members without trusted information and
hundreds without legal representation.
The Chicago Legal Protection Fund offers critical resources to keep community
members safe, including survivors of gender-based
violence. As an example, NIJC sought protection
for a domestic violence survivor and her four children.
When it came time to apply for a green card, we were able to provide the
family of five free legal representation because of the Chicago Legal
Protection Fund, securing green cards for the whole
family. I'm also here
to say thank you. Thank you to the alderpeople,
their staff, city officials, and city staff who are actively
participating and supporting rapid response teams on the
ground, providing support to all the families who have had family
members violently ripped away from them.
It is because of our rapid response network, led by the Illinois
Coalition for Immi- Immigrant and Refugee Rights,
ICIRR, and Organized Communities Against Deportations,
OCAD, that we're able to fight for the release of people
illegally detained by federal agents in violation of the
Castañeda-Nava consent decree. NIJC is proud
to lead this fight alongside ACLU of Illinois,
ICIRR, and OCAD. Chicago is stronger
because our city partners fight with us to keep our community
safe. Together we will continue to hold this administration accountable for
their brutal and unlawful actions and fiercely protect our
constitutional rights. Thank you.
Our next speaker is Noah
Harrod.
Oh, okay, that's, that's, uh, enough.
Thank you. This... Chambers, we'll come back to order.
Noah Harrod, Harrod?
Noah.
Or Harrod? Okay.
Noah, can you say your last name, please?
Yes. It's Herod.
Okay. Very well. You may commence.
Uh, thank you guys for having me here today.
Um, I was born and raised in Illinois.
Um, and unfortunately, because of what you've done in this city, I had to move to
the great state of Florida, but I am here.
I am backing a governor candidate.
And when he h- when he is elected, you're the first person we're gonna do a
forensic audit on. We're gonna have the Department of Justice and the FBI so
far up so many of your butts, you ain't gonna be able to see.
And thank you.
Let's go
(inaudible)
Captain Flora
Dragby. Cap... Digby.
Captain Flora Digby.
Good afternoon.
Now, let's admit, we know that during the summertime, where's the best place to
be? It's on the Chicago waterways.
My name is Flora Digby. I am a licensed captain in the City of
Chicago. I am the commodore of Southern Shore Yacht Club, which resides in
the Fifth Ward. I am a resident of the Seventh Ward, and an
active member of the Chicago Safety Harbor Committee.
And I'm here today in opposition of the proposed yacht
tax.
Let's be honest. I believe there's a mischaracterization of who
actually owns boats. Believe it or not, it's your everyday
middle-class person. The boats from 25 feet to 40
feet, those are the ones that we own.
And the reason why we own them is because we've made a choice in
our lives not to go on vacations, not to buy summer
homes, but continue to invest in the City of
Chicago. And so at this time, we are asking the City of
Chicago and City Council to go back to the table, to think
about the contributions that we are currently bringing.
The fact that we provide stable revenue at this time.
And imposing a tax upon us that is greater than
23% will encourage flight. It will
encourage owners to go to Kenosha, to go to Hammond,
because those are marinas that are actually more competitive than the City of
Chicago. We ask you to partner with us, to
collaborate with us, to grow the memberships in the yacht clubs,
because we are the ones that provide the boat-building programs, the boat
skills programs, the sailing programs. That's who we are.
We are asking you to think about not necessarily raising
23%, but think about other revenue-generating
opportunities. All those... The slip owners in the City of Chicago,
how about imposing a very basic boating skill
class? That will help you increase revenue, but it will
also decrease the use of city resources.
It'll decrease the use of the fire department, the police department, because
now your incidents are going to decrease because of the
education level that we bring to the table.
My name is Captain Flora Digby, and again, we are in opposition of the
yachting tax. Thank you.
Our next speaker is Tatiana
Barnett.
Tatiana Barnett.
Bonnet. Okay.
All right. Thank you, Mayor Johnson and all city
leader- city council leaders. I would like to have your undivided attention right
now if I can. I know it's been a long day.
My name is Tatiana Barnett. On May 6,
2024, NBC Chicago aired a three-part segment
about the real estate fraud unfolding before our eyes in the Woodlawn
community. A New York-based private equity firm known as
Rock360 violated the Illinois consumer fraud laws, deceiving
dozens of business owners using deceptive lending
practices. These actions resulted in illegal foreclosures
of dozens of properties in the Woodlawn and South Shore community,
prime real estate value in, in excess of $30
million. Rock360 partnered with ex-dean of students
of Malcolm X College and Chicago-based developer, Ramo
Bay, who conspired to defraud Chicago families out of millions of
dollars. Mayor Brandon Johnson, in
2024, you promoted and attended the Black Men
in Real Estate Expo at Malcolm X College, promoting the likeness of
Ramo Bay and I Flip Chicago, maybe
indirectly. The City of Chicago's legal department
has received overwhelming complaints from Chicago citizens who invested
their own retirement plans to restore their own communities.
The City of Chicago investigated the matter, found fault, but has yet to
litigate. The African American communities are being targeted by
this New York firm to seize valuable real estate near the Pro- Obama Presidential
Library. There is a reason that a firm of this magnitude would
choose to come to Chicago to commit such egregious white-collar
crimes in Chicago and not New York.
Lawlessness is allowed here in Chicago.
There are medical doctors, elderly women, government employees and
single mothers who have lost everything, and I mean everything to
this. What is the point of investigating the matter to throw us to the side
to litigate only matters involving immigration and Trump?
We ask and plead with the City of Chicago to protect its citizens and
engage in necessary litigation against Rock360.
The laws and statutes that apply to a government agency are stronger
than private litigation. The citizens born and raised here deserve to be
represented. We have waited patiently for justice.
The budget needs to include proper funding to litigate against billion-dollar
companies that come into our city and abuse our ju- judicial systems that are
weak. You cannot, and I mean, cannot defend immigrants and not
defend citizens. It is not just, nor is it fair.
Every alderman and alderwoman here...
alderwoman here can agree that this would not be happening without the legal
help from the City of Chicago if it were the North Side.
You know that, Jeanette Taylor. You know that, Monique Scott.We need to
save Woodlawn. A corporation should not own the most prestigious African
American community here. This is similar to the Tulsa race- race
massacre that destroyed Black Wall Street.
The City of Chicago's leg- legal council should continue the real estate
litigation. If you participated May- Mayor Johnson in the
destruction
and the promotion of this, you
should
Thank you. Our next speaker is Oscar
Sanchez.
Oscar Sanchez.
Jimmy
Rothschild.
...
mentally ill, left it, not a mentally...
Uh, thank you.
All right. Hello. Good afternoon, everybody.
Good
My name is Jimmy Rothschild. I, uh, work for the Jewish
Council on Urban Affairs, which represents constituents all over
the city, in 43 and 44 and 47 and 50
and 5, 33, 35, et cetera. I,
myself, I'm a homeowner in the 33rd Ward in Albany Park.
When I look around my neighborhood, I see a lot of
people who are struggling. I see a lot of people who are
struggling in the face of brutal raids from the federal
government. I see a lot of people who are struggling to pay their property
taxes, struggling to pay for childcare, str- struggling to pay for
groceries. When I look around my neighborhood, I don't see a lot
of CEOs. I don't see a lot of people who are
deciding whether to buy a summer home or a boat,
right? I see people who need investment in
their city, and we have the opportunity to
invest in our neighborhoods with this budget.
We have an opportunity to make sure that people
stay housed, that people stay fed.
My wife is a social worker, I'm very, very proud of her, who, she's a whole
human being in her own right, and she
has, in her career, engaged in a lot of, uh,
emergency mental health. I know how crucial and
life-saving these programs like Care can be, and
I know that anything that risks funding
to be able to provide mental health care for our
neighbors cannot be done. So, we have a choice, right?
We know that we have essential programs
that are at risk, and we can choose to let those
programs go, to let people starve, to let
people die, but we don't wanna do that, right?
I know none of you want to do that, so we have a choice, right?
We have a choice of, we have to fund these
programs, and we can fund them on the backs of our neighbors, on the
backs of homeowners like me by raising property taxes, on
the backs of my neighbors in Albany Park by raising the fees that they
pay at the Cermak on Kedzie and
Bertow, or,
or, we can ask those corporations who are doing
the best in this city, those who are making
massive profits, those who have been just given
huge tax brea- breaks by the Trump administration to pay
a little bit more to make sure that our neighbors can stay
safe, that our neighbors can stay housed, that the work that
your constituents are all doing every day to make this city a
better place can continue. I urge you to vote
yes on this budget. I urge you to vote yes to support your
neighbors by asking corporations and not
themselves to pay a little bit more.
Thank you very much.
Thank you. Um, I'm gonna read through the
names of those that we called earlier, but our last
from the full list, G.
Clary or G. Clay?
Is anyone here who signed up to speak with the initial
G?
All right. Very well then,
um, we'll just go through this one more time.
Shirley Oliver. All right.
All right, Shirley.
Kannan, last name Kannan, first
name, uh, Shrick or
Shrack. All
right.
Okay. Can you say your name please?
My name is Shruti Kannan.
Okay.
Um, I'm here on behalf of, uh,
SEIU Chi- uh, Healthcare Illinois Indiana, specifically
the childcare workers that we represent in the city.
Uh, I am an organizer now, but I worked in the
classroom in daycares on the North Side of Chicago for t- almost 10
years, and, um, and I, I come here
kind of ur- urgently requesting that the city improve wages for childcare
workers. Um, in my time in childcare, I was
proud to be in the classroom, I was proud to be a teacher because it runs in my
blood. My mother, my uncle, two of my aunts have been teachers in India
and here,
um, but the working conditions in the field were very different from what I
expected and what they should have been.
Um,
at the beginning of my career, I was very motivated to do what everybody told me to
do, which was work hard, um, put up with low wages, uh,
and, uh, keep going to school, keep improving my credentials because I thought that
would get me somewhere. At the end of the nine years, what I expected was very
different from what it, what, what it should have been.
What I saw was that my health was declining, especially during COVID.
I caught COVID twice on the job. Experienced teachers around me,
many of them who'd been in this field for years and years, had worked hard,
much harder than I did to get their degrees, were forced to leave the field
because of, um...... and the under-resourcing of the
field. People could not make their bills, um, they could not make ends meet, they
could not pay their bills. People had families, they had kids to
support, and so they just had to leave after putting years of
experience into the field. I also found my life
going in a similar trajectory. Um, I got out when I
could, but it's not something that I want, I want to see keep
happening. As a result of the low wages in early
childhood, um, staff has a hard time staying in the field.
It affects kids because kids need consistent caregivers,
which they don't get. Um, with all the turnover, it's a constant revolving
door of, uh, workers coming in and out, and all of society suffers.
If we are not able to support our kids in this city, I
fear to think of what the future would be 10 years, 20 years, 50 years from now
when those kids come into maturity and take power here, take power in corporate
boardrooms, and so on. Um, so,
we are very encouraged by the fact that the city put in $7
million, uh, into early childhood, specifically for worker wages.
We are now calling for $20 million in the next city budget
so that those wages can stay in effect and workers can really get to what they
need to, which is public educator-level salaries.
Um, this cannot be done without taxing the wealthy in
this city. We are so afraid of
sending wealthy people away, but we have no problem telling working people that
they have to work much harder, much longer just to make ends meet, which is not
okay. So I support, um, all th- the mayor's,
uh, budget proposals that lead to taxing the wealthy so that our communities can
have the services they need.
Thank you. Paula Hickman.
Paula
Hickman.
Good afternoon.
My name is Paula Hickman. I live in the 17th
Ward. Um, I've been a proud early childhood
educator in Chicago for 23 years.
I've currently worked for KinderCare, and I am a
proud member of the SEIU. Um, I've been with them for two
years. I am also a mother of
six. I currently, told you I work at
KinderCare. Um,
like so many working families in this city, we feel the weight of every
dollar. I grow up, I grew up in a diverse
community where I had the gift,
um, of a strong preschool education and a
chance to become a youth leader at the Boys & Girls
Club. Those experiences shaped me.
They taught me, uh, that when a child is supported
early, their whole future can open up.
That's what led me into this profession, a passion for planting seeds
of confidence, curiosity, and the love of
learning. But today, I wanna speak on the reality behind
that passion.
Um, for 23 years, I've been giving my heart to this
work, but the pay has never reflected that value.
Supporting a family of six on a childcare wage is
incredibly hard.
Um, between the times when I've had to
stretch for groceries, delaying my bills, worrying
about if I could afford gas to get back and forth to work, all while caring for
other people's children was a struggle for me.
And I'm pretty sure it was a struggle for a lot of my other
coworkers. If I
earned a comparable wage to a CPS
educator, wages would allow a person to actually
live, you know, my life would look completely
different.
I would be able to build
on more and save more for my family.
Stability would be even better.
Low pay doesn't only affect educators, it affects
children and families directly. The turnover rates
are high. Classrooms often suffer because of
understaffing, and centers constantly struggle to stay
open.
(sighs) Under Mayor Brandon Johnson,
I wanna thank you so much for actually taking consideration, uh,
for, uh, childcare and actually investing that $7
million. But now we're actually calling for at least $20
million, if we can help fund all of our
childcare workers. I'm also saying to support Mayor Brandon
Johnson in the community safety surge, uh, the
social media tax, and the tariff plus.
Thank you. Thank you. Brianna Champion.
Our next speaker, Brianna
Champion.
Hello, everyone.
Hello.
My name is Brianna Champion, and I am an organizer with the Chicago Black
Voter Project from the South Side.
I live in the Fifth Ward. We know that our city has the
capacity to meet everyone's needs, and we believe that the, that
collective work and responsibility is how we make it all
possible. I am, however, confused
and disappointed by Chicago's older people who come from the
same neighborhoods as us and continually distance themselves from the
collective.
You are being presented with a historic and unprecedented
opportunity to pass a budget that protects those closest to
you and those who need it the most. Yet you are still
holding the interests of billionaires, who are using you and will never care
about you, above the survival of your own
people.... how could you not support a community
safety surcharge? It's a small amount,
requiring our city's wealthiest corporations contribute to fund
crisis response systems. You know firsthand the
impacts of closed mental health clinics in our community.
Why does it make sense to you
to levy working class people with garbage and grocery taxes
when you too were a starving artist, not knowing how you were going
to afford your most basic needs that month?
I have spent the last five months talking to our neighbors
about how we pun- fund public
safety. You have no excuse to
ignore over 70% of Chicagoans calling to tax
billionaire corporations. Those same corporations just
received a windfall of a lifetime thanks to their billionaire
president. That bill Trump passed in July
was the largest transfer of wealth to rich folks in
American history. That don't make you mad?
Over 8,800 Chicago Public Schools
community members will lose their jobs if we do not return
the TIF surplus to our schools, parks, and
libraries. Imagine how a
loss that great would destabilize our ci- our
city. I'm tired
of hearing that corpora- corporate billionaire leeches are
going to leave us if they ask them to pay more in
rent. Because the truth is,
longstanding Black working class families with deep roots in this
city are being pushed out. Black and Brown people are
being kidnapped in broad daylight.
What are you doing to stop this? You talk about
balancing this budget as if real people's livelihood
isn't what's really hanging in the balance.
Alders of Chicago, you are being presented with a very clear
and well-researched solution to the economic and
corporal attacks the Trump administration has imposed on us.
Thank you. (clears throat)
Just a couple of more here, of names that we'll call
again. Brad Peak.
(coughs) Is Brad Peak still here?
All right. Chris
Baron.
Chris Baron. Allison
Chelsea. Allison
Chelsea. Oscar
Sanchez. Oscar
Sanchez. And then initial
G., last name difficult
to make sense of here,
Clay Clary, initial G. All right. Very
well. Are there any other individuals that wish to speak to the
proposed executive budget?
All right. Seeing none, it is now...
Ooh.
Okay, we will permit time for these last two individuals.
Please, um, is there a slip that they can fill out so
that, the, the, that they're officially on
record? And then
fill out those slips and we will make time for these last two
speakers. I just need their
names.
Can you state your name and then let's make sure I have that pink slip up
here.
Say your name, sir.
Thank you, Mayor. I really appreciate it. I did try and register beforehand.
They told me it was cut off at 11:30.
I got you. Go ahead. State your name, sir.
Matt Dorr from the Hospitality Business Association of Chicago.
I appreciate all of you aldermen who are still here after all those grueling budget
hearings. It was a long one. Just for the record, as I was trying to do
before, the head tax as last version we saw
still penalizes many bar and restaurant groups, uh, through both the
rulemaking provision and the way it's phrased.
It's not full-time employees, it's anybody making $7,500 a
quarter. That covers a lot of well-paying part-time bartender and server
jobs. We would respectfully ask, if that's even still in the
discussion, that it be revised to reflect it includes real full-time
employees, not people working part-time jobs.
The way it is written right now in the head tax, jobs making lower than the
federal po- sorry. Jobs making less than the
federal poverty line for a four-person family would be subject to the head
tax. I don't think any member of this council wants to penalize job
creation on entry-level jobs for people.
Whatever policy concerns, it's simply set much too low and
written much too broadly and will apply to too many good paying jobs to get people
on the career ladder. And I don't know if it has a chance long term or not.
I'm not in that group, that coalition.
But as written now, it is very hard on our hospitality industry, our
hotel industry, and everybody providing entry-level jobs.
Thank you for your time. Really appreciate all the aldermen who were here till 8:30
last night on this. Thank you for your effort and your times. Cheers.
Thank you. All right. Theresa "TJ"
Hughes.
Good af- good evening, I mean, afternoon.
Good afternoon.
Thank you. Thank you so much for, uh, letting me speak.
I didn't know, uh, when I came it was al- you know, everything was
closed, so I appreciate this. I just wanted to say since I've been
sitting here listening to everybody, that I do support
you as far as the increase from the corporate
people to pay taxes. Because if you just think about
it, all of their monies have come
from the
s- sweating
pains of Black people who, if it wasn't for us, they
wouldn't even have these corporate
positions. They wouldn't even have these companies 'cause they were too
trifling to get out and work for the stuff themselves so they got
free, free labor from our people. So
I
support you 100% for asking for them to pay
more in their taxes. And then, uh, another thing
on the other side, if I may, I'm still waiting for my
follow-up, Mr. Mayor, with you.
So, um, you know, that's been like months and months ago.
You want your third meeting? I got you. We can do it, okay?
Okay. Thank you.
You're welcome. All right. Are there any other individuals that wish to speak
or wish to make an appointment with me? (laughs) All right. All right.
The time is now 1:20,
so this concludes the public hearing on the proposed executive
budget. The Chair recognizes Chairman Irvin.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move re- we return to the regular order of business.
On the motion to return back to the regular or- order of business, all those in fa-
favor signify by saying, "Aye." Any opposed say, "No." The motion
passes. Alderman Mitchell, on the motion to adjourn.
Mr. President, there being no further business before this body, I move that we
adjourn.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
The meeting is
adjourned.